When U.Okay.-based Ourea Occasions introduced that it was closing its doorways in March 2026 and canceling its secure of iconic racestogether with the 2026 Northern Traverse, Cape Wrath Extremely, Dragon’s Again Raceand Skyline Scotlandthe ultrarunning neighborhood was shocked. Now, simply over a month later, occasion firm Extremely X has introduced that it’s acquired each the Dragon’s Again Race and the Northern Traverse and plans to proceed each occasions.
After an unsure future, the Dragon’s Again Race seems to be again. Photograph: No Limits Pictures
When the occasions have been instantly canceled in March, those that had signed up confronted vital monetary losses. The usual entry payment for the Northern Traverse was £899 ($1,213), and the Dragon’s Again Race prices £1,899 ($2,562). Whereas the 2026 Northern Traverse, initially slated for the tip of March, didn’t run, Extremely X is transferring all 2026 entries to the 2027 race and can honor all current entries into the 2026 Dragon’s Again Race, which is scheduled for September 7. These with entries into the 2026 Cape Wrath Extremely will obtain race credit score for one more Extremely X occasion.
The Northern Traverse and Dragon’s Again Race have earned a popularity as a few of the hardest extremely occasions within the U.Okay. The Northern Traverse covers 300 kilometers over 5 days, touring throughout England’s Lake District, and the Dragon’s Again Race covers 380 kilometers on mountainous terrain in Wales throughout six days. The occasions are recognized for his or her technical and unforgiving terrain.
Customary terrain within the Dragon’s Again Race. Photograph: No Limits Pictures
Extremely X, which already has 10 races on its 2026 occasion calendar, stretching from the U.Okay. to Finland to Jordan to South Africa, is dedicated to sustaining continuity with its newly acquired occasions. They plan to run each occasions individually from their current races to keep up their particular traits. They’ve additionally employed Greg Mickelboroughthe previous Ourea Occasions operations director, and contracted with Shane Ohlyformer Ourea Occasions director and CEO, to assist make sure that the occasions function as easily as attainable and keep the points that make them distinctive. In a press launch, Extremely X co-founders Sam Heyward and Jamie Sparks wrote: “We’re completely delighted to welcome Dragon’s Again Race and Northern Traverse into the Extremely X household. Our precedence now’s to supply certainty for individuals and to ship these occasions in the best way that folks already love!”
That is maybe the best-case state of affairs for Ohly, who had expressed hope that the occasions may proceed underneath new possession. He’d said in a press launch in March that by closing the corporate then, after a number of years of making an attempt to get well from the monetary implications of occasion cancellations because of COVID-19, they may “maximise the chance that the occasions will proceed underneath a special construction or possession.” The hope got here to fruition, and Ohly now says, “I’m more than happy that Extremely X has secured the way forward for Dragon’s Again Race and Northern Traverse, an organisation that shares a powerful dedication to operational excellence, participant expertise, and a focus to element. Additionally it is very encouraging that Extremely X shall be honouring current entries. I’m assured this represents an thrilling new chapter for each occasions.”
The technical terrain of the Dragon’s Again Race. Photograph: No Limits Pictures
