Montane Spine Race

Josh Wade Achieves an Emphatic Win in the Montane Spine Challenger,

Press Release / 10.01.2022

Josh Wade (GBR) this morning won the Montane Spine Challenger in under 25hrs, with a lead of over 4hrs on his closest competitor.  This against a backdrop of some truly awful conditions on the Pennine Way, which have seen more than 50% of Montane Spine Challenger competitors retire so far.

After the race Josh said, ‘we had everything out there, rain, snow, sleet, Fountains Fell was a total blizzard, but it was really fun’, adding ‘I gave it my best shot and I’m really chuffed.’

Josh took the win ahead of Darren Greasley (GBR) and Joe O’Leary (IRL) who complete the podium.  At the time of writing no other runners have reached the finish line and conditions have improved only a little through the day.

At 0800 this morning in Edale, the tenth anniversary edition of the Montane Spine Race began.  The line-up this year is a who’s-who of ultra-running high achievers.  Currently the race is led by Damian Hall (GBR), 2-time finisher and former Pennine Way FKT holder, and Kim Collison (GBR), a former British Trail Running Champion with multiple ultra-distance records to his name.  The duo has a growing lead over Doug Zinis (GBR), a double Bob Graham record holder and Spine Challenger winner, and Eugenie Rosello Sole (ESP) who won this race in 2013.  

Sabrina Verjee (GBR) leads the women at the end of the first day of running.  She is opening up a comfortable lead over Elaine Bisson (GBR) and Debbie Martin-Consani (GBR).  Sadly today Anna Troup was forced to retire from the race in Torside.  She is safe and well and we look forward to seeing her out on the trails again soon.

Also this morning, the first ever Montane Spine Challenger – North began.  Starting in Hardraw this race picks up where the classic Spine Challenger ends and covers the remaining 160 miles of the Pennine Way.  As the race enters its first night Simon Roberts (GBR), winner of the 2021 Dragons Back Race, has a comfortable lead over the chasing pack, though Luke Roberts (GBR) is refusing to be shaken off entirely.

The first winter running of the Montane Spine Sprint drew to a close overnight last night in Hebden Bridge.  The race was won by Jonathan Price (GBR) ahead of Nick Jones (GBR) and Simon Eldridge (GBR).  The first woman was Alice Kershaw (GBR)ahead of Anna Paxton (GBR) and Louise Arnison (GBR).  The Sprint runners had until 0600 to complete their 43 miles race. A handful of runners were still on the course at that time and therefore did not finish.  Of 60 starters, 19 retired or did not finish.

[After this came in Kendra Wedgwood finished to take the winners trophy of the Spine Challenger in10th overall.  And at the head of full Spine Race Kim Collision retired.]

LINK TO LIVE TRACKING & LIVE LEADERBOARD:

Available to view at www.thespinerace.com