Ultra runner Jack Scott has crushed the course record of the 268-mile Spine Race by more than 10 hours. The INOV8 athlete completed the winter race, which is widely regarded as one of the toughest endurance events in the world, in 72 hours 55 minutes.
The 29-year-old smashed the previous record of 83 hours 12 minutes, set by Jasmin Paris in 2019. INOV8 team-mate Damian Hall, last year’s winner, was second in 82 hours 25 minutes. His time is also faster than the previous record.
Jack, who slept for less than an hour throughout the race, says: “This race meant everything to me. It was all I was focused on. I had a once-in-a-lifetime type of run and I’m so happy.”
Jack described The Spine, saying: “I felt like I had another gear almost the whole race, apart from the bit near Malham Tarn – 80 miles in – when I felt bad due to the fast early pace. I almost dropped out. “After that, I slowed the pace, recharged, then pushed again when I felt better, chasing down those in front.
“Once I was on my own in front I just kept going. I was running scared, not knowing what was happening behind me. I hallucinated that other runners were catching me up. I was so scared of being caught, I made myself run as much as possible and took only small rests.”
Jack slept for several very short periods. He says: “I remember sleeping for 30 minutes earlier in the race at the checkpoint in Langdon, then later beside Hadrian’s Wall when I asked a member of the public to watch over me and wake me up after four minutes.
“I then had 10 minutes of sleep sitting against a fence on the final section over the Cheviot Hills when I set my alarm to wake me up.
“I just wanted to win the race. That was the goal. The record is fantastic, I’m not sure I can quite believe it.”
Montane Spine Race
The race, dubbed “Britain’s most brutal”, started in Edale, Derbyshire, on Sunday morning amid good conditions. Following the Pennine Way, with 37,000ft of mountainous ascent, Jack was never far from the front as a stellar field of contenders enjoyed clear visibility and firm ground.
His big move came on the section between Dufton and Alston where the race crosses its highest point, Cross Fell at 893m.
Leaving behind INOV8 team-mate Damian, Jack arrived in Alston alone with 175 miles of the course completed.
With the weather deteriorating, he then pushed on solo, battling flurries of heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, for a further 93 miles all the way to the finish at Kirk Yetholm – and a place in the history books.
A battle of team-mates
It was a sweet victory for Jack, who was runner-up to his friend and rival Damian in last year’s race.
Meanwhile, Damian had to settle for second place this year, 47 minutes inside Jasmin’s previous record in a time that would have been a triumph in any other year.
Who is Jack Scott?
Staffordshire-based Jack first began running in his early 20s, using it to help him overcome a gambling addiction that was previously controlling his life.
As well as ultra running, he promotes GAMSTOP, a platform that allows people to self-exclude themselves from online gambling.
Prior to the Montane Spine Race win, his two previous results were a DNF in 2020 and a second-place finish in 2023. He has also set a Southern Upland Way record.
Jack works part-time in construction, reinforcing buildings and infrastructure with steel in the foundations. He is also a running coach.
Jack wore a pair of INOV8s TRAILFLY G 270 V2 running shoes for the Spine Race.