“If you don’t push your limits, you won’t know what you’re capable of”

In 2021, Montane-sponsored athlete Simon Roberts became the first Welsh person to win the 236-mile Dragon’s Back Race. We quizzed him on what it takes to be a champion ultrarunner

How do you get to know the Dragon’s Back route as well as you do? You must spend hours recceing… “A huge part of the Dragon’s Back Race [DBR] experience is the preparations leading up to the race. The hours put in to recceing the route, the sleeping in cars and staying in bunkhouses throughout Wales: it’s a huge time commitment just getting ready for the race. I am based in South Wales so I have years of experience on days five and six, so I feel right at home on those hills in the Brecon Beacons. I love day five – it’s one of the hardest days, I know it well. I’ve also done a lot of racing up in Snowdonia, so I’m very familiar with day one as well. I have done the Dragon’s Back Race twice, but I do still get lost sometimes.”

Which are your favourite parts of the route? “My key highlight would have to be day one in northern Snowdonia; it’s the craziest terrain of the course, supersharp ridge lines and mega-steep scrambles. Scrambling up Tryfan and running across Crib Goch are definite highlights. Plus, if you’re lucky with the weather, those views! I also have a soft spot for day four, the

Elan Valley. I had never been to this area until I did the race in 2019. This area is stunning, with beautiful green hills and stunning lakes. I’ve been back to the Elan Valley many times since. I love it. It’s a real hidden treasure in Wales.”

When you’re doing something as physically demanding as the Dragon’s Back Race, do you find moments to enjoy the landscape? Or are you just too focused on the physical challenge? “In the past, yes, landscape-gazing was a huge part of it. Beautiful mountain views can definitely help take your mind off the pain. Since I’ve found this warrior competitive mindset, sadly not: I’m just totally focussed on the running, head down and moving forward. I can dig myself quite deep! It’s intense down there so I’m not really taking notice of the views. It’s pure concentration, managing the effort, trying not to trip over or get lost.”

How do you know when to push your limits in a race like the DBR? Are you ever worried about pushing yourself too far? How do you know where to draw that line?

“At last year’s race, I was probably pushing the limits every day. If you don’t push your limits, you will never know what you’re actually capable of. You never know, you may find yourself leading a race. There were many moments when I was red-lining, especially when trying to keep up with Russell Bentley on the road sections. You take yourself right to the edge and if you go over, you have to drop back and correct yourself to get yourself back in your rhythm. It’s a risk you must take sometimes. I had trained well and had done the homework so I knew I could handle a big effort.”

What are your hopes for this year’s race?

How prepared do you feel? How much does winning again matter to you? “I’m feeling strong now. There were a few setbacks early this year, what with catching Covid and getting injured at the Cape Wrath Ultra in the Scottish Highlands.

But recently I’ve been on a good track, getting strong and enjoying the training. So, yes, I’m going in for a win, to defend my title. Last year, history was made with me being the first Welsh person to win the race, something I am very proud of, and this year I have the opportunity to become the first person to get back-to-back overall wins. That would be quite something. It’s a strong motivator, I’m feeling ready to race hard!”

What are your ultimate mountain running goals? Are there any places in the world that you’d love to run that you haven’t yet? Any events you’d love to try? “There are quite a few races on my bucket list, the first one being the Barkley Marathons in Tennessee. It’s known as the race that eats its young. I’m a little bit obsessed with it and its history of being the hardest race out there! Another race I would like to get to would be the Iditarod Trail Invitational: 1000 miles across Alaska in winter just sounds like an epic journey! Also the Montane Spine Race coming next January. I’m looking forward to doing well at that one.”