British ultra runner Damian Hall has triumphed in the notoriously tough Montane Winter Spine Race 2023. Jack Scott, also British, was second.
The 268-mile challenge extends the length of the Pennine Way from northern England across the border to Scotland and is notorious for its savage nature. Held in winter over remote mountainous terrain, runners carry their kit throughout and sleep only when they choose to. They ascend a total of 11,250m, which is more than the equivalent height of Mount Everest from sea level.
This year the weather has been brutal, with temperatures as low as -15C, deep snow, ice and winds.
While Damian, who was taking part in the race for the fourth time, ran to the finish line with Jack yesterday evening, the runner up’s time was affected by a 40-minute penalty.
Damian reached Kirk Yetholm in 84:36:24, which was three hours faster than previous male record holder John Kelly (USA).
Jack’s time was 85:16:24. (In 2020, Jack set. new record time on the Southern Upland Way.)
However, the overall Winter Spine course record of 83:12:23 is still held by Jasmin Paris (GBR).
Damian’s race to win Winter Spine 2023
Damian, an inov-8 supported athlete, set a strong pace from the start and created an impressive lead alongside another successful British ultra runner, Kim Collison, before he retired at 125 miles.
Closing down on the front runner, Jack, who is also supported by inov-8, remained focused throughout the race. The battle between the pair in the later stages kept the “dot-watchers” tuning in right to the finish line.
Damian, who slept in total for only 2 hours and 20 minutes, said: “I thought we were going to have a nice time running together but every time I saw Jack he seemed to keep pushing harder.”
Damian, a 47-year-old running coach and climate-emergency campaigner, added: “It has been a long-held dream to win the Spine Race. I first did it in 2014, finishing fourth, but I never thought I was someone who could win it.
“Then, last year, I did think that but I retired after 180 miles with an injury. That really frustrated me and that feeling has been bubbling away for the past 12 months.
“I wanted to come back this year and do better. Jack pushed me incredibly hard for the win and I’m really pleased that between us we ran the second and the third fastest times for the course.”
A navigational error after Jack, 28, took the lead unfortunately resulted in him taking a short-cut. He incurred a 48-minute time penalty for this, which was shortened to 41 minutes when he gained a seven-minute time credit for helping a fellow runner in need.
Jack, who is also a running coach, found the sport of ultra running while overcoming a gambling addiction. He said: “The Spine Race was an amazing experience. I was blessed to have the opportunity to run with Damian and to race him.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it and Damian fully deserves first place. I think we both only slept about two hours each throughout the race and at times the weather up on the tops was barbaric.
“Maybe we could have pushed closer to the overall course record if they had been better, but Jasmin’s time is awesome.”
Pair run into third place in Montane Winter Spine Race
Douglas Zinis and Joe O’Leary crossed the line together to take joint third. Having paired up at Horneystead Farm, they stayed together as they battled over the Cheviots.
Many other runners also paired up due to the severe conditions. Of 159 starters, 40 per cent of the field has withdrawn so far.
Claire Bannwarth is winning female in Spine Winter Race 2023
Claire Bannwarth was the first female to finish the Montane Winter Spine Race 2023. She 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 third. She took fifth place overall in 97:39:58.
The Montane Spine Race continues until 8am Sunday January 22.
- Link to live tracking and leaderboard at: www.thespinerace.com