THE DRAGONS BACK - Ultra Marathon Documentary - The Toughest Mountain Ultra Trail Race in the World

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About This Video
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Taking on The Dragons Back is a documentary film covering two friends as they attempt the Dragons Back Race in Wales.
Graham Cooper and James Barlow took part in the 2022 Dragons Back Race which is held every year. They run 380km from Conwy down the spine of Wales to Cardiff covering the biggest mountain ranges and a total of 17,000m of elevation.
This ultra running film documents their journey and how it unfolded.
Gear Used
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Main camera: geni.us/sbWtB
Main camera DO IT ALL lens: geni.us/KYdS
Running & underwater camera: geni.us/ZWrk
Mountain running camera: geni.us/0ekQe
Underwater housing: geni.us/KS3O
Gimbal for running: geni.us/isFVM
Sound recording: geni.us/XhZr5b
Action camera: geni.us/T9a0wK2
(We earn commission from the above links)
Music
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We licence most of the music found in our films at Artlist artlist.io/Kel... you can use this service to licence music for your own videos.
Support On Patreon
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/ kelpandfern - Support future adventure films and get early access and behind the scenes footage seen nowhere else.
As well as making virtual running for treadmill videos AD-FREE!
The Plan Is Simple, to celebrate and share the great outdoors. We will be doing this in a number of ways;
Mindful moments short nature videos.
Ultra running films
Virtual running videos
Nature documentaries
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Kelp And Fern are an outdoor media company, we've been photographing and videoing the outdoor world, those who love outdoor pursuits, the oceans and the mountains.
if you have a story to tell, an event to showcase or memories to save contact us and we can work together on making your story come to life.

[@katbondie]

Love this! Same here my mental health had declined massively due to family issues. I got back into my running in February this year and now have a 50K ultra in July!

[@KelpandFern]

Sorry to hear about your struggles Katie, but happy about your future on the trails, good luck with your 50k!!

[@buffywhatever1093]

I echo the same from the lads Kat…..Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it’s the courage to continue that counts.

[@MiniForklift]

Hope your 50km went well!

[@matthewcoates6043]

I've watched loads of dragons back films on KZbin - this has to be my favourite, da iawn

[@KelpandFern]

WOW, super happy that you enjoyed it and even more so that it's your favourite, this really has made my day, Diolch!!

[@oliverkillian]

Nicely documented, enjoyed it. Was hiking in wales and saw some runners, one guy ran by us and after a good while he ran back past cause he'd taken the wrong turn for marathon, kudos to that guy.

[@KelpandFern]

Thanks for the kind words and youve always got to get some bonus miles in somewhere haha.

[@findermanimages]

I'll be starting this year's race in a little over a week and only now have I seen this video! Moving, inspirational and beautifully crafted. Well done team - amazing work.

[@KelpandFern]

Glad you enjoyed it, hope the Dragons Back went well for you!

[@davebrown1100]

Great film guys 👏. I DNf'd in 2021 due to a torn ACL and meniscus, will be back in 25 to complete it. Spine this year tho.

[@KelpandFern]

Brutal, i tore my MCL about 15 years ago so sorta know what you went through. James from the film is doing the spine next year too so you should bump in to him at some point, all the best with that and thanks for watching!!

[@BrewtalBoyz]

Outstanding! Above and beyond most docs on ultras. Thank you.

[@KelpandFern]

Thanks for the kind words! and glad you enjoyed it.

[@richardlester3619]

Great film, well done to you all. 👏

[@KelpandFern]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@1PlainOne]

Sound track is epic!!

[@cornertocorner5074]

Another beautiful film 🥰🥰

[@KelpandFern]

Thank you so much for the kind words and glad you enjoyed it.

[@garyrochester9595]

You guys are absolutely legends. Respect 🤜🏽

[@mickdubhgall]

Beautiful film!! The music went perfectly with the film too.... well done to all the runners who toed the line, big respect :~}

[@KelpandFern]

Thank you very much! Put a lot of time in to the soundtrack and yeh huge respect to all those that toed the line.

[@reluctantfellrunner]

Best wishes to all.

[@buffywhatever1093]

I’ve never done the actual race, but have done all the sections but without the time restriction……that’s a stress, and chwarae teg (fair play) lads, you did so very well. Great filming of my beloved Cymru, and The Dragon’s Back Race always highlights the epic scenery of the country. Courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness in the face of adversity. Diolch am film wych. Thanks for an excellent film.

[@KelpandFern]

Croeso! Diolch am watching and thanks for the new Welsh word "chwarae teg".

[@feelbetterlivewell]

Absolutely fabulous film! 🤩👍💪

[@KelpandFern]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching.

[@mikehitchen4487]

Super doc! - kudos to both!!

[@KelpandFern]

Glad you enjoyed it! They both just completed the Northern Traverse of the Spine Race too, a great couple of guys!

[@johnstewart8665]

I loved this film from start to finish! Beautifully crafted as always. The 45 second sequence starting around 1:32:00 was an absolute highlight that brought a huge smile to my face. Total respect for both of these guys and for all who took part in the race.

[@sandstromj]

What a race and what a video. Loved watching every minute of it, especially the end.

[@KelpandFern]

Thanks for watching!

[@BBSRFC]

Thank you again for another wonderful film, keep doing what you’re doing! And well done to the two lads and all of the finishers of course, incredible event that.

[@KelpandFern]

Appreciate the kind words.

[@olivermallinson571]

Well done Martin. Awesome stuff 👏🏻

[@KelpandFern]

Thanks for watching dude! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@grahamwalton1209]

Very nice. Quite a chilled out feel considering. James, and Graham you are both super tough. Great film, thank you.

[@joannei.s.299]

Absolutely amazing people

[@ffiffijones7860]

Fantastic video by Kelp and Fern as always and massive respect to the runners 🎉

[@KelpandFern]

Diolch!! Thanks for watching. And yeh such huge respect for the runners all toeing the line of this race.

[@Mookiethedog]

This is awesome! Loved the whole thing. Great cameo by Allie B and a Bad Boy shirt to finish! I've subbed and will check out your other stuff!

[@KelpandFern]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for subscribing. Currently releasing a video each day of a runner attempting the Wales coast path fkt.

[@thevalleywalker]

Just wow.... incredible feats by all and big up to the filming crew - this was a brilliant watch.

[@KelpandFern]

Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks so much for the kind words.

[@Chris-nb4dm]

Impressed with the camera man's fitness!

[@buffywhatever1093]

Can I also say, massive shout out for the shorts, loved them!

[@iterato1]

Amazing journey, felt so bad for James, he was so close when he had to pull out. The seed of maybe doing this beast someday is now planted in my head!

[@KelpandFern]

Yes it was unfortunate, but he's a strong guy and has bounced back finishing the Arc of Attrition 100 miler, Cheviot Goat and he just did the The Spine Challenger in January and I think he is attempting the full Spine in January next year. Thanks for your comment and all the best with your future adventures.

[@roychambers2900]

Congratulations on a great film. Your depiction both of the human detail and the epic scale of this event was super. Many thanks!

[@KelpandFern]

Glad you enjoyed it! Your words really do mean a lot to us after spending months on this release.

[@AlanWil2]

Cool!

[@emlyngriffith5846]

Wonderful video…..watching it up a Spanish mountain. Wish I was younger and could have a go at this. Great respect for everybody who took part. Well done. Made me feel homesick! 👍🍷

[@KelpandFern]

Thank you very much, diolch! Being up a spanish mountain doesn't sound too bad either :)

[@lauriehiggins7547]

This was fantastic!! Well done guys!! Makes me want to do it even more!

[@atleastIdietrying]

Great documentary and a brave performance by both runners! It really does a good job at portraying the dichotomy between the beauty of the landscape, the journey and the act of testing limits and the evergrowing fatigue and exhaustion. Thank you!

[@KelpandFern]

Thanks so much for the kind words and really glad you enjoyed it.

[@leemay4459]

Hi Martin. Love this movie. Out of all the dragons back documentaries, this is the one i keep coming back to time and time again. Can you send me a link for the soundtrack please? It will serve me well whilst training for 'The Lap', it is really inspiring 😊 Thank you.

[@KelpandFern]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yes i'll get around to that and put it up on my site. Hope training is going well!

[@leemay4459]

@@KelpandFern Yes Martin. All is going to plan at the moment. Hopefully we will catch up soon.

[@craighynes9477]

Inspiring 💪😎

[@alnomesamy]

This was great on so many levels. Thanks.

[@KelpandFern]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mattcarr3798]

Brilliant guys, well done 👍

[@marcelschrader6117]

awesome Film i was also part of this DBR and loved it. Great Job

[@KelpandFern]

Glad you enjoyed it and what a great few days eh, did you run or volunteer?

[@marcelschrader6117]

@@KelpandFern i also tun 🤗 in some days we are very close to each other when I saw the film. I was guy with German flowers on his back. Your film Realy take me back to some places 😂🙈

[@CeriWilliams]

Outstanding work guys ❤

[@KelpandFern]

Thank you so much 😀

[@benlangford34]

Inspiring me to come home from NZ to have a go! Utterly outstanding truly hardcore welsh mania .. thank you 🙏🏻

[@KelpandFern]

You wont regret it! There are a number of phenomenal races in Wales that you could attempt, another company is called the Wild Horse 200 who I can't recommend enough if you're looking at multi day races.

[@benlangford34]

Thank you will check it out Keep up the great work inspiring

[@Scott-fi6ml]

That was funny that you ended up running past and within a parkrun event classic😂🤣

[@leerunsultras]

well captured buddy enjoyed that

[@KelpandFern]

Glad you enjoyed it Lee! You ever done a multi-day race? There are a few in Wales now.

[@leerunsultras]

@@KelpandFern yes mate I ran from Spain to France in 2011

[@leerunsultras]

@KelpAndFern was booked on dragons back 2021 but got diagnosed with a rare brain condition so had to cancel it

[@MattCooperKay]

Absolutely wonderful watch, beautifully filmed and a great effort from those guys. Would you say the entry price was fair? I'd expected a lot more support (mainly nutritional) for the money.

[@KelpandFern]

Thank you so much for watching and glad you enjoyed it. I would say it was overpriced knowing that the entry fee has jumped considerably in the last couple of years.

[@KelpandFern]

👍 LIKE & SHARING this video is the best way to support us! Join the adventure & SUBSCRIBE bit.ly/subscribekelpandfern and keep up to date on latest documentary releases at our newsletter bit.ly/kelpandfernnewsletter

[@thezz199]

Nice boys well done. Where did you get the music? Where can I find the soundtrack?

[@KelpandFern]

Thanks for watching, will put the soundtrack in to an article and send you the link.

[@patrickclarke1462]

Just finished book failure is an option the timing is perfect just need to find free couple hours to watch this

[@KelpandFern]

How was the book? Heard about it before but not read it. Hope you enjoy the film when you find time.

[@patrickclarke1462]

​@KelpAndFern the book was amazing as was this really enjoyed watching it well done to runners and film makers