Montane Spine Races
Damian Hall wins The Montane Winter Spine Race 2023
Press Release / 20.01.2023
Seasoned ultra-runner Damian Hall (GBR) has crossed the finish line in Kirk Yetholm as the winner of the Montane Winter Spine Race 2023. The dream to win ‘Britain’s Most Brutal’ has eluded Damian in previous years, but on his fourth attempt he’s taken the title. He ran in with fellow competitor Jack Scott (GBR) who took second place having put in a performance that in any other year could have secured his own victory. In doing so he set up one of the most exciting Montane Spine Race events on record.
Damian set a strong pace from the start and created an impressive lead alongside Kim Collinson before he retired at 125 miles. Closing down on the front runner, Jack remained laser-focused throughout. Making safe decisions when they were needed and pushing at the right times, showing an aptitude for this scale of race that came close to matching that of our more experienced winner.
The battle between the pair had the ‘dot-watchers’ on the edge of their seats right to the finish line. Damian commented, “I thought we were going to have a nice time running together but every time I saw Jack he seemed to keep pushing harder.” Jack broke through to take the lead but unfortunately made a navigational error incurring a 40-minute time penalty. Both runners beat the previous male course record with Damian clocking a time of 84:36:24 taking 3 hours off the record set by John Kelly (USA). However, the overall course record of 83:12:23, is still held by Jasmin Paris (GBR).
“Over the Cheviot Hills we were knee-deep in snow for about 10 hours. Jack pushed me right to the end. Retiring last year with an injury really frustrated me so I wanted to come back and do better. It’s been an incredible race.” said Damian.
In Jack Scott we have an exceptionally talented runner, relatively young in the ultra-running world at 28, who put everything he had on the trail and pushed our winner every single step of the way. Jack took to ultra-running as a means of recovering from a gambling addiction, commenting, “Running has become something within me that I now can’t remove. I’m pursuing some goals and taking some risks. I want to see how far and how fast I can run.”
Douglas Zinis and Joe O'Leary crossed the line together to take joint 3rd. Having paired up at Horneystead Farm they stayed together as they battled over the Cheviots. It speaks to the extremely challenging conditions out on the course that we are seeing so many runners work together. Out of 159 starters, 40% of the field has already withdrawn.
Claire Bannwarth takes 1st woman at the Montane Winter Spine Race 2023. Claire pulled ahead of the other women in the field steadily throughout the early stages of the race and for a time, ran with Douglas Zinis and Joe O'Leary in joint 3rd. She takes 5th place overall. Claire is an immensely prolific athlete, ticking off a hit list of big ultra-distance events worldwide with alarming regularity. Her experience, determination and strength showed throughout. As did her humility.
The Montane Winter Spine Race continues until 8am Sunday 22nd January.
You can follow the live tracking at; www.thespinerace.com
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