The 2025 Dragon’s Back Race delivered one of the most dramatic editions in its history, from relentless Welsh weather to record-breaking performances that will be remembered for years.
David Parrish took the overall victory in 48:40:14.
Holly Wootten finished second overall and first woman with a time of 50:46:16 which was an amazing new course record.
Ed Brewer, just 23 years old, secured third overall.
Parrish out on his own
David Parrish dominated to take first place overall, while Brewer secured third place overall and second man with an impressive 52 hours 25 minutes finish time, a remarkable achievement at just 23 years old.
When asked how it feels to become the Dragon’s Back race champion for 2025, Parrish said at the finish line: “It’s an honour and a privilege, quite a relief as well that it’s over, I’m sure in a few days I will say I enjoyed it, but right now I can safely say that today was very much an ordeal on the body, I’m delighted that I got through that without any serious injury”
Wootten rewrites record books
Despite this year’s brutal conditions, history was made in the women’s race as Holly Wootten shattered the course record by a staggering three hours, finishing second overall and first woman with an extraordinary time of 50 hours 46 minutes.
The previous record, set by Lisa Watson in 2022 was 53 hours 46 minutes.
This moves her into rarefied company. She follows in the footsteps of Jasmin Paris, who finished second overall in 2015 and Helene Whitaker who won the inaugural Dragon’s Back Race in 1992 as a pair.
“I’ve gone into deeper darker holes than I have before, and I think bouncing back from when I thought things were slipping away, I am stronger than I thought” Holly said on the finish line.”
Wootten crossed the finish line over 10 hours ahead of second-place woman Jodie Gauld, who had an outstanding race, storming across the finish line in 61 hours 2 minutes.
The women’s podium was rounded out by Leanne van Dijk, who delivered a powerful performance to claim third.
Wootten said afterwards: “I wanted to challenge and take the fight to the guys, I looked at how Jasmin Paris had done, women can compete in this race, it’s long enough, there is a navigation element, I hatched a plan to do the race in 2023 as a recce.
“Coming into this week, it was all about the overall competition for me. After day one, we were all within a few minutes, so I thought, let’s see where we go from here.”
