Official Technical Recce Events delivered by Dragon's Back Race® event partner RAW Adventures
Benefits for #TeamRAW Dragons
- Extensive Dragon's Back Race® route knowledge and expert mountain skills input
- Technical Recce Events compliment your training, increasing stamina/fitness for the most technical route sections
- Qualified #TeamRAW Run Guides with Dragon's Back Race® and/or Event Team experience
- Expertly organised itineraries work for all; professional planning and delivery in all weathers
- Essential ‘Technical Dragons’ skills for rocky terrain – we love Crib Goch!
- Meet other friendly #DragonsInTraining and #TeamRAW Run Guides; make lasting connections
- Recce Event Transport always costed in and organised; no fussy car drops required
- Dragon's Back Race® inspired RAW Adventures Multiwrap for every #TeamRAW Dragon
- BOOK EARLY to organise your training and race calendars
I really don't think I would have achieved it this time round without your support, knowledge and constant positivity. RAW have given me so much confidence, especially given the crazy weather we've had for training over the last year. Please pass on my thanks to all of your team!
Samantha
October 2023
Thank you for all the recce days we have had since last May. It has been an amazing experience for us and we have learnt so much - not just about the route, but also about race preparation. Kate, you make everything feel calm and achievable and always keen to share DBR knowledge.
Lew-Chin
July 2024
Such a great bunch of people. Very friendly, approachable, knowledgeable, and helpful. Catered extremely well with keeping whole group together. Always made sure that key messages were heard by the whole group. Excellent explanation of technical skills and route planning. Totally recommended.
Steven
April 2025
These Official Technical Recce Events are open to ANYONE interested in learning more about the Dragon’s Back Race®
Official Technical Recce Events for all runners
These Dragon’s Back Race® Official Technical Recce Events are managed and delivered by RAW Adventures, an Event Partner to race organiser, Ourea Events. Kate Worthington is a co-founder of RAW Adventures and an experienced Summer and Winter Mountain Leader and UK Athletics Fell and Trail Leader in Running Fitness (FT LiRF). Kate has worked on the Dragon's Back Race® in Course Ops, First Response and Mountain Safety teams since 2015, in every edition of the race.
In 2021 she chose to experience the event from a runner’s side, beating the oppressive heat and ran smoothly until near the end of Day 5, where a hip and knee issue resulted in retiring from Pen y Fan, with only 8 miles to go to the finish. Kate really understands the commitments required to get to the start of this epic race and can offer a unique insight into training, preparation, managing injuries and Crib Goch nerves!
Due to the linear nature of our route planning for these Official Recce Events, we invest in suitable transport and RAW Run Guide staffing solutions. By organising a Recce Event for multiple people, this keeps the cost per person reasonable and meets our company commitment to efficient and sustainable resource planning – both economically and environmentally. Therefore, we have chosen not to offer bespoke 1:1 DBR Recce Events, but we are always happy to offer advice for your own planning.
Kate works with an excellent group of #TeamRAW Run Guides, with experience of either working within the Dragon's Back Race® Event Team and/or running in previous editions of the race. You’ll enjoy excellent company and gain bundles advice and support as you prepare for your Dragon’s Back Race®.
Who will you meet on your Dragon’s Back Race® Recce Events?
Don't just take our word for it...
I can honestly say I have had an amazing few days out on the hills with you, Lou and others over the last few weeks. You are all so professional, patient, tolerant and just so friendly (and non-judgmental when people ask questions!) If miracles happen and I make it to Cardiff to collect my Dragon, you will have definitely been part of that reason.
Sophie
August 2021
Thanks for an epic weekend. Great to meet everyone and thanks to the group for wonderful company. Also, a very important thank you for some brilliant work by RAW. Can't imagine trying to get through that without the strength of the group and confidence of the Mountain Leaders! A real confidence booster.
Eliot
April 2022
Had a great two days over Tryfan and Yr Wyddfa, the knowledge given was brilliant, something you wouldn't get if just doing it yourself. Definitely gave me confidence going up Crib Goch having someone there talking you through it. The team were all lovely, I would highly recommend booking one of their recce days and will be booking on to another in the future.
Luka
April 2025
RAW Adventures hosts small teams with a high ratio of specifically experienced and qualified #TeamRAW Run Guides to allow safe and logical progression in the hills. These Official Recce Events are designed and managed as ‘guided’ events, where you can be sure of professional and seamless organisation, clarity of objectives and a feeling of being well supported and included at all times.
Teams will move together; increasing levels of safety, the ability to manage transport logistics and timings and encouraging runners to find genuine ‘running partners’ and contacts for your Dragon's Back Race® and beyond. RAW Adventures holds comprehensive insurance for mountain activities and prioritises individuals’ safety and enjoyment at all times.
#TeamRAW previous Dragon's Back Race® finishers say...
Really good to meet fellow Dragons and be guided over the tough terrain; my confidence over Crib Goch was much improved after going over with your super supportive team. You are all so calm and reassuring which was greatly appreciated. I highly recommend RAW Recce Events.
Sally
DBR Finisher 2023
Without the help and support of Kate and the RAW Team I would not have completed the Dragon’s Back Race, it is that simple. My confidence in the mountains was built on the Recce Event days. I went from a road marathon runner with little exposure to the terrain and no ultra-running experience to Dragon’s Back Race finisher in five months. The experience and knowledge I gained was decisive.
Benjamin
DBR Finisher 2023
I couldn’t make it to as many recce weekends as I wanted to but arguably the ones I did make were a large part of getting me to the finish. The knowledge of the course on the days I’ve done with you was invaluable when things were tough at the end of the day and I thought both times that I had the recce to thank for getting me through.
Dan
DBR Finisher 2019 and 2024
Recce Event costs include:
- 1-3 #TeamRAW Run Guides, depending on group size/terrain
- Time taken to plan route/transport/resource arrangements to meet Recce Event objectives
- Transport logistics and costs to accommodate linear routes
- Group safety equipment and communications
- Valley support driver/transport in certain locations
- Planning and preparation to ensure the best route is achieved in forecasted conditions
- Expert Dragon's Back Race® route knowledge and advice
- Links to photos taken by #TeamRAW Run Guides
- Dragon's Back Race® themed Multiwrap headwear
- Superb running experiences in Wales with other #DragonsInTraining!
Recce Event costs do not include:
- Personal running kit and equipment
- Personal map and/or compass/GPS device
- Food/drink for Recce Event running days
- Personal and travel insurance (recommended!)
- Car park charges, personal accommodation and travel costs
Conditions weren’t easy on the last couple of days spent over Day 1 terrain, but a great learning curve for what can happen when it’s wet, windy, cold & very poor visibility. Lovely group of people, lots of laughs and smiles. Also a huge thanks to Joe, Mike & Tim who have a wealth of knowledge and experience that everyone should definitely tap into.
Chris
April 2022
I think the Recce Events organised by RAW help the nervous and navigationally challenged feel some comfort and confidence to at least step up to the start line. I know Crib Goch and Tryfan seemed a little less daunting after visiting on one of the recces. The support and patience is outstanding for first time Dragons!
Giles
August 2023
If you are thinking of doing the Dragon’s Back Race then going on some RAW Adventures Recce Events are a must. The knowledge of Kate and her team is second to none. I learnt an incredible amount on the two days I did in August. Everyone was made to feel welcome no matter what their ability. My only regret was not having done more recce days! Thank you Kate and team!
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