It’s been amazing to see those socks cross the fells again and to be reunited for a friend we hadn’t seen for too long, and a joy to put a winners’ medal around her neck once again.
Congratulations 🏆
#SpineRace #SummerSpine
At the finish line, she took the time to praise our volunteer team and comment on how wonderful it was to see so many familiar faces still waiting to greet her as a returning friend at every turn along the way…
#SummerSpine #SpineRace
All her hard work and determination paid off over the last 84:56:37. Anna has reclaimed her place as our Summer champion.
She executed a tactically exceptional race and claimed a well deserved win. She ran her own race and was able to apply pressure as those ahead began to struggle…
#SummerSpine
Summers have been just that little bit quieter around here whilst Anna has been at home, tenaciously keeping her fitness levels at their exceptional level with endless wattbike sessions and working hard to recover enough from an injury she picked up in August of 2022…
#SummerSpine #SpineRace
Anna Troup wins the Montane Summer Spine Race 2025
Anna Troup won this race in 2021 and 2022.
Her course record has stood unchallenged since 2022.
She has now returned 3 years later and once again won the women’s race, and this time as the first runner over the line…
#SummerSpine #SpineRace
In fact, if he holds this pace he may well break the course record too!
Keep watching those dots. We could well be putting medals around the necks of 3 winners before midnight.
#SummerSpine #SpineRace
If all goes to plan on the final stretch, James Hargreaves in the Montane Summer Challenger North will be in among the Northern Sprint finishers arriving in Kirk Yetholm tonight, and he will arrive as our winner…
#SpineRace #SummerSpine
Shirley Murray, Shane Morgan and Dominic Gill, our 3rd woman and 2nd and 3rd men have just reached Cross Fell together.
Live GPS tracking can be found here: live.opentracking.co.uk/sspine2025/
#SummerSpine #BritainsMostBrutal
Among them are John Daniel and Phil Padfield who will each have a finisher’s medal for every race in the #SummerSpine series.
Live GPS tracking can be found here: live.opentracking.co.uk/sspine2025/
##SpineRace #BritainsMostBrutal
They’ll also be the first #SpineRace runners to deviate from the Pennine Way trail and climb to the summit of the Cheviot, the highest summit in the range…
#SummerSpine
The first ever Montane Summer Spine Sprint North is underway!
The runners left the line at midday exactly. They have 43 miles to cover including the Cheviot Hills, one of the most ruggedly beautiful and remote stretches of the course…
#SummerSpine #SpineRace
A note on cut-offs. These are in place to keep runners at a pace that gets them to their finish line before their race ends.
They are the time by which runners need to move on from a checkpoint - not just arrive there. Those skirting cut-offs get little time in the checkpoints…
#SummerSpine
Jon Shield is at High Cup Nick where he’ll no doubt be feeling those strong winds.
Live GPS tracking can be found here: live.opentracking.co.uk/sspine2025/
#SummerSpine #BritainsMostBrutal
Described by the team as ‘sprightly and moving well’, she stopped for a quick curry and moved on again an hour later.
Irene Kinnegim around 15 minutes after Anna departed, and Shane Morgan and Shirley Murray arrived just before 3am…
#SummerSpine
Jon Shield arrives at Middleton CP as the sun sets
Jon Shield arrives at Middleton CP as the sun sets
Jon Shield considers the dinner menu at Middleton CP
Jon Shield arrives at Middleton CP as the sun sets
Jon Shield reached Middleton CP - nicknamed the Teesdale Tandoori - around 21:00.
His feet are still recovering from his 2nd place finish at the Cape Wrath Ultra under a month ago. He was moving well and feeling strong though and set off again just before 23:00…
#SummerSpine
Alex Salt greeted by his partner at the Montane Summer Challenger South finish line.
Alex and his mum, Moira, at Middleton CP a few hours later
Alex Salt finished the Montane Summer Challenger South this morning in Hardraw.
This afternoon he went to Middleton checkpoint to join his Mum, Moira on the volunteer team and help others reach their own finish lines.
That’s the #SpineFamily
#SpineRace #SummerSpine
There have, as always, been wild highs and deep lows across the course all day and our roving photographers have been capturing as many of them as possible.
Live GPS tracking can be found here: live.opentracking.co.uk/sspine2025/
#SummerSpine
Those runners in the Montane Summer Challenger South have until 20:00 to get to Hardraw before the cut-off.
Runners in the Summer MRT Challenge South have until 20:30.
Wish them luck!
Part 3…
#SpineRace #SummerSpine
As one race began, runners in the Montane Summer Challenger South are still arriving in Hardraw.
Jon Shield, at the front of the Montane Summer Spine Race will be here soon too…
Part 2…
#SpineRace #SummerSpine
As the runners in the Montane Summer Spine Challenger North and MRT Challenge North start their journey toward Kirk Yetholm and glory, here’s your Monday morning update from @willbaldlygo.bsky.social
Part 1…
#SpineRace #SummerSpine
➡️ The Montane Summer Spine Challenger North begins at 08:00
In Hardraw, one group of runners are anxiously anticipating the start of their 160 mile test on the trails…
#SummerSpine #BritainsMostBrutal
Michael Bickers and Ian Jackson finishing the Montane Summer Challenger South in Hardraw, North Yorkshire
Michael Bickers and Ian Jackson finishing the Montane Summer Challenger South in Hardraw, North Yorkshire
Michael Bickers and Ian Jackson finishing the Montane Summer Challenger South in Hardraw, North Yorkshire
Michael Bickers and Ian Jackson finishing the Montane Summer Challenger South in Hardraw, North Yorkshire
Michael Bickers and Ian Jackson had never met when they started talking at Bleaklow.
They’ve been through a lot in the 96 miles since then, and they just crossed the Montane Summer Challenger South finish line like brothers.
#SummerSpine #SpineRace
As we type Jon Shield has just caught up with the back marker of the Montane Summer Challenger South, runners who are now going into their 2nd night on the course.
Wish them luck out there…
Live GPS tracking can be found here: live.opentracking.co.uk/sspine2025/
#SummerSpine
It’s ’claggy’ out there now. It’s dark across the Pennine Way National Trail, mist is rolling in, squalling showers are sporadically soaking the runners and cold wind is whipping through the hills.
Jon Shield is opening an almighty lead after a storming first day on the Pennine Way…
#SummerSpine
…but Day 2 hit hard with driving rain on Pen-Y-Ghent.
Still, Ellie Atkins powered through for an incredible result. Huge congrats from the #SpineRace team on an epic run and a well-earned 2nd place!
#SummerSpine #BritainsMostBrutal
Ellie Atkins takes 2nd woman at the Montane Summer Challenger South 2025! She came to Edale just aiming to have fun and finish—but surprised herself with a podium. “I’m from Cambridge, so we don’t have hills… my legs are trashed!”
Day 1 brought perfect weather and stunning views…
#SummerSpine
The #SummerSpine has started, and this year I'm following Raymond Evans https://youtu.be/XMbxY0aulow #DotWatching #BritainsMostBrutal #SpineRace
Mathew Kilner wins the Montane Summer MRT Challenge South
Mathew was running in support of Holme Valley MRT of which he is an active member.
MRTs are reliant on donations and you can support their essential work here: holmevalleymrt.org.uk
#SummerSpine #SpineRace
Eleanor Walker wins the Montane Summer Challenger South 2025 🏆
Part 1…
#SummerSpine #BritainsMostBrutal
Anna Troup neck and neck with Anna Troup neck and neck with Anna Troup neck and neck with Anna Troup…
#SummerSpine #SuperTrouper #SpineRace
