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Montane Spine Race 2025 concludes: Extreme conditions provide ultimate test of endurance

The UK’s most brutal endurance race saw athletes from all over the world go Further. Faster along the most iconic and demanding national trail in Britain

With record-breaking feats, some of the most punishing conditions the race has ever seen and countless stories of perseverance, the 2025 Montane Spine Race has come to a close.

Below freezing temperatures and icy, treacherous terrain turned the 268-mile course into a gruelling battle of endurance. Between January 11th to January 19th, 537 athletes from around the world took part in the Montane Spine Race 2025 – 313 crossed the finish line.

From heartwarming moments of perseverance to record-breaking feats, this year’s race was a true test of human spirit that pushed participants to go beyond their limits and achieve the extraordinary.

Full Spine (268 Miles)

The pinnacle event of the Montane Spine Race, the Full Spine, commenced on Sunday, January 12th, at 08:00. Along the 268-mile course, competitors faced not only extreme cold but also a punishing total ascent of over 10,700 metres along the Pennine Way. Despite these challenges, many athletes delivered extraordinary performances.

  • Kim Collison claimed overall victory in a time of 82:46:32, the third-fastest time in race history. This victory marked his fourth attempt at the Full Spine, following three previous retirements.
  • Lucy Gossage won the women’s race in 87:41:38, finishing an outstanding fourth overall.
  • #TeamMontane athlete Robyn Cassidy finished second in the women’s race with a time of 94:31:43.
  • #TeamMontane athlete Dougie Zinis, a seasoned competitor, finished 10th in the men’s race and 12th overall with 100:00:59.
  • #TeamMontane athlete Simon Roberts was forced to retire after nine hours at the Hebden checkpoint.
  • Liam Steinbeck, Montane’s very own Materials Manager, completed the race in 155:40:33, showing remarkable resilience.
  • All #TeamMontane athletes are available for comment, on request.

Challenger South (106 Miles)

The Challenger South race began on Saturday, January 11th, at 08:00 from Edale, with participants facing -9°C temperatures, snow and tough terrain.

  • #TeamMontane athlete James Nobles and his father Robert Nobles completed the race together in a time of 48:54:18. Robert, inspired by his son’s ultrarunning achievements, took on the challenge despite being a newcomer to the sport.
  • #TeamMontane athlete Mark Darbyshire retired after 10 hours at the Hebden checkpoint. Snowdrifts that were waist-high made it difficult for him to continue safely.
  • James Allen took victory in the men’s race with an impressive 34:39:43.
  • Alice Kershaw won the women’s race in 43:14:45, cementing her place as one of the race’s top performers.

Spine Sprint (46 Miles)

The 46-mile Spine Sprint race started at 12:00 on Saturday, January 11th, challenging competitors to push their limits over icy, snow-covered paths.

  • Paul Brennan emerged victorious in the men’s race with a time of 09:26:48.
  • Hannah Bruce claimed first place in the women’s race, finishing in 12:53:40.
  • #TeamMontane athlete Tom Hollins and James Trott finished joint second, both with a time of 10:17:29.

Challenger North (160 Miles)

The Montane Spine Challenger North, which began on Monday, January 13th, at 08:00 from Hardraw, presented yet another brutal test for competitors.

  • Paul Grundy claimed victory in the men’s race with an overall time of 48:03:07, which included a 38-minute penalty due to a navigation error.
  • Nicky Spinks won the women’s race with an impressive 56:49:55.

Notable Moments and Special Stories

  • Dave Brown completed the Full Spine in 268 miles after battling against the clock to stay within cutoffs. He crossed the finish line at Kirk Yetholm. Among the cheering crowd was his late friend Tomy Fuery’s fiancée. Tomy had dreamed of taking on the Spine Race alongside Dave, but tragically passed away before they could. This moment was a moving tribute to their shared dream.
  • Ricky McGrath set a new record for the slowest time ever recorded in the Challenger North with a time of 106:57:33 – an extraordinary feat of endurance, resilience, and determination. Ricky’s completion of the race exemplifies the true spirit of the Montane Spine Race.
  • Cleo Bishop-Bolt, who was 3rd woman in the Spine MRT Challenger North, experienced an unforgettable moment in the race. While sleep-deprived, Cleo encountered a stray dog on the trail, crafted a makeshift lead from her spare jumper and safely escorted the dog to a remote refuge hut.

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