Montane Spine Race reaches its conclusion

The annual Montane Winter Spine race has reached its conclusion, with Frenchman Sebastien Raichon picking up the victory. 

The event, which got underway in treacherous conditions last weekend, saw runners brave temperatures as low as -15°C throughout the 268-mile route. 

Living up to its name as Britain’s most brutal footrace, the severe weather and slippery underfoot conditions eventually told, forcing a wave of dropouts across all Spine Race formats. 

Even seasoned individuals struggled, with former event winners John Kelly and Chris Cope both encountering difficulties early on, leading to the pair bowing out of the main race. 

Also forced to withdraw was race leader Eugeni Rosello Sole, who exited the contest in agonising circumstances, having been just hours away from the finish. 

This opened the door for Raichon to storm to victory with a time of 95 hours and 44 minutes, finishing just under six hours in front of runner up James White, and just shy of 10 hours ahead of James Hargreaves in third. 

Close behind was Anna Troup, who took the spoils for the women with a time of 106 hours and 19 minutes. 

She was followed across the line by Fiona Horsfield who recorded an impressive time of 112 hours and 49 minutes, with the final podium position being claimed by Sophie Grant’s time of 117 hours and 32 minutes. 

In the shorter 46-mile Sprint South race, which sees runners travel across the Pennine Way from Edale to Hebden Bridge, Joe Leadley came out on top in his first ever Spine race with an impressive time of 8 hours and 17 minutes. 

In the women’s section, Hope resident Sophie Littlefair was first across the line with a tremendous time of 11 hours flat.  

Kelly-Marie Staunton took second woman with aplomb as she raced into the finish in 11 hours and 54 minutes, while Eleanor Walker sealed the final podium place with a time of 12 hours 41. 
 
In the men’s podium, it was Christopher Warner who narrowly missed out on victory, finishing just 20 minutes shy of the eventual winner, while Andy Mears landed third place, completing the course in 9 hours and 31 minutes. 

The longer format Challenger South race, which sees runners make the 108-mile trip from Edale to Hawes, saw Winter Spine record holder Jack Scott claim victory, with Ciaran Croke taking second and Steve Hopwood third. 

In the women’s section, Sarah Page took top honours, with Susan Fawkes close behind followed by Claire Prosser and Bex Milnes who took joint third place. 

Finally, in the MRT (Mountain Rescue Team) Challenge South, Sarah Perry romped to victory in the women’s field while John Everson was first over the line for the men.