A Week of Extraordinary Feats: Montane Winter Spine Races 2024
Press Release / 25.01.2024
A week-long spectacle of remarkable achievements unfolded in the Montane Winter Spine Races. The pinnacle event, the 268-mile Montane Winter Spine Race, witnessed 29-year-old Jack Scott rewriting British ultrarunning history by obliterating Jasmin Paris’ 2019 course record. He completed in an astonishing 72 hours and 55 minutes, 10 hours faster than Jasmin Paris’ seemingly unbeatable time. If there is such a thing as a perfect performance in endurance sports then this was it.
Despite breaking both the previous course record and his own from 2023, Damian Hall finished 2nd behind Jack Scott. The decisive moment occurred on Cross Fell, where Scott took a lead that Hall couldn't reclaim. Claiming 3rd place, Konrad Rawlik, husband of previous record-holder Jasmin Paris, displayed unwavering resilience in the wintery conditions, earning a well-deserved spot on the podium.
Claire Bannwarth defended her title on the women's podium, showcasing not just speed but an enduring passion for wild running. 2nd place Hannah Rickman's sportsmanship, coupled with a memorable act of assistance during challenging blizzard conditions, exemplified the camaraderie that permeates the Spine Race. Lucy Gossage, a 14-time Ironman Champion, successfully transitioned to ultra running, finishing 3rd with tenacity and focus.
Amongst the other race distances, we saw a remarkable showcase of speed and endurance. Joe O’Leary secured victory at the Montane Winter Spine Challenger North, breaking the course record by a staggering 16 hours. Thriving in the challenging cold conditions, O’Leary's positive demeanour made his presence a joy at the Spine Race. Nikki Arthur emerged as the winning female athlete, shattering the course record by an impressive twenty hours. She has showcased exceptional talent and determination in her debut at the Spine Race.
In the Montane Winter Spine Challenger South, Daniel Weller's commanding lead and Samantha Lissauer's triumph in her first race beyond 100km added to the week's narrative of exceptional performances. Jessica Johnson and Rupert Allison emerged as record-breakers in the Montane Winter Spine Sprint, both demonstrating a mastery of the course.
As the curtain fell on this extraordinary week, the stories of triumphs and trials etched themselves into the fabric of Spine Race history. Our final finisher David Milton has successfully completed the race in just under seven days. Facing harsh winds on the Cheviots, he has demonstrated extraordinary strength and resilience. The global community of dot watchers galvanised to offer him unwavering support to the finish.
The Montane Winter Spine Races has not only showcased endurance on a level we’ve not witnessed before but we celebrate the unwavering human spirit and resilience to achieve things we never thought was possible. The Spine family’s shared love for tackling and supporting extraordinary feats, is what sets this race apart.
Entries for the Summer Spine Races are available here: Montane Summer Spine — The Spine Race
