Greg Crowley: 'Worry about getting to day five'
A member of a mountain rescue team will tackle a gruelling five-day mountain race to raise funds for his team.
Greg Crowley, medical officer with Derby Mountain Rescue Team, is fired up for next week’s Dragon’s Back race, a 200-mile endurance event involving running the length of Wales from North to South.
The Derbyshire GP hopes to raise at least £1,000 for the team in the rerun of the Dragon’s Back, which was first run 20 years ago.
Mr Cowley said: “The original Dragon’s Back Race has reached legendary status among fell- and ultra-runners and I am very excited to have secured a place in its rebirth.
“I have been training for it for eight months, spending many days having the luxury of being able to run in the Welsh Mountains.
“I have no idea how I will feel on the morning of day five, with just 47 miles to go. However, I will have to worry about getting to day five first. Whatever happens, I am determined not to need rescuing by any of the local mountain rescue teams.”
The medic has taken part in many endurance trail and mountain races before, including the 106-mile Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc and the 105-mile Lakeland 100, but this is by far the longest and most difficult challenge he will have face.
His first marathon was the London in 2003 when he raised £3 000 for the British Heart Foundation. He has done 44 since then.
At the time of writing, Greg Crowley had raised more than £800 through his justgiving page, where donations can still be made.
The Dragon’s Back will start at 7am next Monday, 3 September at Conwy Castle. Competitors will gather in the building’s inner courtyard where they will be accompanied by the singing of Maelgwn Male Voice Choir, multiple winners of the Welsh National Eisteddfod competition.
Runners will trace the mountainous spine of Wales south to the finish at Carreg Cennen Castle in the Brecon Beacons. Competitors will have to contend with a course that is approximately 320km long and with 15,000m of ascent, across the most remote and wild terrain that Wales has to offer.
During the countdown to the start the runners will be handed the day one map, giving them their first opportunity to see the course.
Organiser Shane Ohly said: “It’s a monster, with the planner’s optimum route being 52km with 4,468m of ascent.
“The race will be officially started by Councillor Dr Stuart Anderson, chair of Conwy County Borough Council, and Cllr Cedric Rigal, Mayor of Conwy Town Council, and the competitors have received special permission to race out along the ancient town walls of Conwy before heading up to the Carneddau, Glyders, Snowdon and beyond.
“With the friends and family of the competitors and local well-wishers expected, it is likely to be a busy start and anyone is welcome to come along and cheer off the runners. The best viewing spot will be Conwy Castle Visitor Centre on Rose Hill Street.
Helen Whitaker and Steve Birkinshaw. Photo: Pete Webb/Berghaus
“Just like the original race, the 2012 Dragon’s Back Race has attracted a strong international field with competitors coming from 14 different countries, including Hong Kong, New Zealand, USA, Australia and Canada.”
The event is sponsored by Berghaus, and two of their athletes, Helen Whitaker, who as Helen Diamantides, was one of the winners of the 1992 race, and seven-times Original Mountain Marathon elite-class winner Steve Birkinshaw will take part.
The schedule for the race areas is:
- Monday: Carneddau, Glyders and Snowdon area
- Tuesday: Moelwyns and Rhinogs area
- Wednesday: Cadair Idris and Pumlumon area
- Thursday: Elan Valley area
- Friday: Black Mountain area.
More details are on the Dragon’s Back Race website.
