
Kim Collison and Lucy Gossage win the Montane Winter Spine Race!
Latest News! 15.01.25:
Kim Collison wins the Men’s Montane Winter Spine Race in 82hrs, 46mins.
As redemption stories go, there are few more dramatic than this. Getting to the finish line of the Spine Race takes much longer than the 82hrs 46mins it’s taken Kim to get here, it can take years of preparation, sacrifice and heartache.
In this case, 4 years of consistent effort and mental resilience. Kim takes the 3rd fastest time ever in the Montane Winter Spine.
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Pictured: Kim Collison at the finish. Photo credit: WillBadlyGo/The Spine Race
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Lucy Gossage wins the women's race at the Montane Winter Spine Race 2025 in a time of 87:41:38. Lucy had to draw in and overtake early leader Robyn Cassidy to claim her place on the podium, and in extremely difficult conditions. Lucy obviously enjoyed the experience for all it’s hardship, regularly posting uplifting updates from the course. She improved on her 3rd place finish in the same race last January. “When I caught Robin I knew I had her, we were both running my race.” She said when asked at what point she started to think she might be able to take the top spot.
Sleep had been Lucy’s achilles heel in January last year making the latter stages of the race a wearing grind. This time she mastered her sleep monsters and arrived at the finish line fresh enough to leap in the air after touching the wall.
Robyn Cassidy takes second place in the Women’s Winter Spine Race! After 94hrs and 31mins out on course Robyn has finally touched the wall of the Border Hotel in Kirk Yetholm to the sound of raucous applause, cementing herself on the podium of the 2025 Spine Race.
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Pictured: Lucy Gossage at the finish. Photo credit: The Spine Race
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14.01.25: Grundy and Spinks win the Spine Challenger North
Paul Grundy wins the Men’s Race at the Montane Winter Spine Challenger North 2025 Paul, holder of the Northumberland Coastal Path FKT, took on this challenge because he walked the Pennine Way with his Dad at the age of 14 and always wanted to race the iconic route. He's hopeful of taking on the full Winter Spine Race next year. At the CPs along the way, our team have marvelled at his meticulously packed supplies, including notes of encouragement tucked among the snacks by his children. He arrived in Kirk Yetholm before sun rise to applause from our gathered team. He's become hugely popular with the volunteer team having shown nothing but kindness, generosity and humility from halls all the way across the Scottish border.
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Pictured: Paul Grundy at the finish. Photo credit: The Spine Race
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Nicky Spinks wins the women’s race at the Montane Winter Spine Challenger North.
Some runners require no introduction and high among those legendary few is Nicky Spinks, a genuine legend of the UK ultrarunning scene. The Inov8 athlete has previously set the women’s record for the Bob Graham, Ramsay, and Paddy Buckley rounds. She was also already a member of the #spinefamily having finished 5th in the women’s race at the full Winter Spine Race last year, and come to past events to help other spiners on their journeys as part of our volunteer team. She’s pictured here crossing the line in Kirk Yetholm alongside Joe Farnell who came 2nd in the MRT Challenge North.
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Pictured: Nicky Spinks at the finish. Photo credit: The Spine Race
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13.01.25: Allen and Kershaw win Spine Challenger South
James Allen and Alice Kershaw are the new men's and women's winners of the Montane Winter Spine Race Challenger South.
After hours of solitude since Hebden Bridge, Manchester based runner James arrived at Hawes in 34hrs 39mins to a cheering crowd of volunteers. When the leaders dropped away, he had to dig deep to navigate and push through alone, but his determination paid off.
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Pictured: James Allen at the finish. Photo credit: Tom Hoyle/The Spine Race
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In an incredible event, Alice crossed the line in 1st place after 43hrs 14mins on the trail, looking remarkably fresh despite tackling some of the toughest sections in pitch-black conditions.
Mark Potts claimed 2nd place in 35hrs 24mins in the Men’s category, finishing strong despite 108 miles of treacherous snow. Realizing he’d finished on the podium added even more joy to his incredible achievement!
Sam Tansley secured 3rd place with a stellar performance of 37hrs 44mins. The humble Yorkshireman quoted that his familiarity with the Pennine Way proved invaluable in these brutal conditions.
Kevin Robinson is the MRT Challenger South Winner, completing the course in 38hrs 49mins.
Charlotte Black and Alison Love took joint 2nd, finishing together after an epic shared journey through the snow, coming into Hardraw together in 44hrs 19mins.
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Pictured: Alice Kershaw at the finish. Photo credit: Dave Wood/The Spine Race
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12.01.25: Tough Spine Sprint conditions for winner's Paul Brennan and Hannah Bruce
The gruelling Montane Winter Spine Race Sprint (46 miles) has just concluded in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.
Runners battled deep snow, black ice and temperatures as low as -9 as they took on the 46 mile course, most of which time was spent in the dark.
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Pictured: Paul Brennan at the finish. Photo credit: Dave Wood/The Spine Race
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Paul Brennan was first across the line, winning the Men’s race in 9hrs 26min, almost an hour ahead of joint second-placed Tom Hollins and James Trott (10hrs 17min).
Hannah Bruce marked her Spine Race Debut in style, winning the Women’s race in 12hrs 53 mins, just 15 minutes ahead of second placed Meredith Moody (13hrs 8mins). Black Trail Runners Ambassador Rebecca Deveroux was third across the line in 13hrs 16 mins, persisting in wearing shorts for the entire duration of the Sprint despite freezing temperatures.
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Pictured: Hannah Bruce at the finish. Photo credit: Dave Wood/The Spine Race
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Ever wondered just how tough the Montane Spine Races really are?
Read this article to find out more
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Follow the 2025 races
The Montane Winter Spine event includes six different races with distances ranging from 46 miles to 268 miles of non-stop expedition-style racing, including two dedicated Mountain Rescue Team races which are incorporated into the Challenger South and Challenger North events.
Races are listed in order of start times below;
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Challenger South and MRT Challenger South (108 miles)
Start Time: 08:00 January 11th 2025
The Montane Winter Spine Challenger South is a non-stop, 108 mile race along the Pennine Way. Beginning from Edale in Derbyshire, runners have a time limit of 60 hours to get to the finish at Hawes. The race covers the southern section of the trail which features the iconic moorland of the Kinder Plateau, numerous National Parks, Malham Cove and Pen-y-Ghent. This challenging and technical section is a physically and psychologically demanding route that requires concentration, good physical fitness, resolve and respect. This becomes even more demanding with the full intensity and ferocity of the British Winter in deep snow, storm force winds and driving rain. This is a notoriously difficult event and should be considered as having a similar degree of difficulty as the full Montane Winter Spine.
Track the race here
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The Sprint (46 miles)
Start Time: 12:00 noon January 11th 2025
The Montane Winter Spine Sprint is a non-stop, 46 mile race along the most iconic and demanding trail in Britain: the Pennine Way. The race covers a challenging and technical section of the Pennine Way. It’s physically and psychologically demanding and requires a degree of self-sufficiency and skill which sets this race apart from others. Beginning from Edale in Derbyshire, runners have a time limit of 18 hours to reach the finish line at Hebden Bridge. It’s a truly epic experience that will give you the full intensity and ferocity of the British Winter and test you against the toughest of trails.
Track the race here
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The Full Winter Spine (268 miles)
Start Time: 08:00 January 12th 2025
The Montane Winter Spine is widely regarded as Britain’s Most Brutal endurance race. It’s a non-stop, 268 mile race along the most iconic and demanding national trail in Britain; the Pennine Way. Beginning from Edale in Derbyshire, runners have a time limit of 168 hours to reach the elusive village of Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. You will climb over 10,000 meters as the route crosses some of the most beautiful but difficult terrain found in England, including the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall and the Cheviots. It’s a truly epic challenge that will test your physical resilience and mental fortitude. You will experience the full intensity and ferocity of the British Winter including deep snow, storm force winds and driving rain.
Track the race here
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Challenger North and MRT Challenger North (160 miles)
Start Time: 08:00 January 13th 2025
The Montane Winter Spine Challenger North is a non-stop, 160 mile race along the Pennine Way from Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm. This is a truly demanding race that gives you an opportunity to take on the northern section of the full race route. Beginning from Hardraw in North Yorkshire, runners have a time limit of 108 hours to get to the finish line at the infamous village of Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. The trail crosses some of the most beautiful but difficult terrains in Britain including; the Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall, and the Cheviots. This is one of the most physically and mentally demanding races out there, made even tougher by the ferocity and intensity of the British winter.
Track the race here
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