ULTRA Marathon veteran Damian Hall (47) won the 2023 Montane Winter Spine Race in just three days, 12-hours, 36 minutes and 24 seconds, beating the previous men's record set by John Kelly in 2019.(Jasmin Paris’s course record of 3 days 11hrs 12mins 23secs remains.)
Widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest endurance races, participants run 268 miles in just seven days running nonstop and unsupported over the entire length of the Pennine Way.
Runners cross some difficult terrain starting at Edale in Derbyshire and finishing in the Scottish Borders at Kirk Yetholm.
The race has grown from just 11 competitors in 2012 with only three finishing to more than 180 taking part this year. However around 70 were forced to retire on the route.
The race was dreamed up by two polar explorers to recreate the cold conditions that they loved and due to the time of the year, the majority of the event took place in darkness with snow, ice and strong winds to contend with.
Afterwards, from the comfort of his hotel, Wiltshire runner Hall told BBC Breakfast Time: “I’m a bit groggy, but not too bad. I’ve been doing this sport for 10 years so it’s all the background of running, cycling and fitness strength and a lot of it is in your head to be honest. It comes from experience as well.
“When you do these things you feel alive. It’s an adventure and you can have an amazing adventure in Britain in the winter.
“The last few hours through the Cheviot Hills in knee deep snow for eight to ten hours, Jack’s sense of humour did go a little bit. But now we are looking forward to a big breakfast and lots of tea.”
Jack Scott crossed the line at the same time as his inov-8 team-mate Hall but had incurred a 48 minute time penalty after veering off course the night before, which was reduced to 41 minutes after he stopped to help another runner
He said: “It’s just sinking in. It’s been an amazing few days for sure. But just to finish safe and sound is the main thing. It might not look like a bouncing ball of fun but I’ll definitely never forget the last four or five days.”
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