Jack Scott at the finish at Kirk Yetholm. Photo: Adam Wild Aperture

The winner of this year’s Montane Winter Spine Race has revealed he considered dropping out of the event a third of the way into the course.

Jack Scott, who beat the previous race record by more than 10 hours, said the early pace of the runners was too quick. “The race went off too fast, and I nearly DNF’d [DNF: did not finish] at Malham.

“I wasn’t enjoying the pace; it wasn’t my game plan. I knew I had to slow down and take control. I had confidence I had speed, but it wasn’t sustainable, and I had to draw a line.”

The 29-year-old showed determination after starting the race despite recent injuries, and had a clear plan to beat his main rival Damian Hall, who snatched victory from him in last year’s race. Scott said: “I had to win the mind game. I had to be resilient in training, attack specific areas on the course like Cross Fell, and I had to think more like a racer than a finisher.”

Damian Hall at Kirk Yetholm. Photo: Adam Wild Aperture

Seasoned endurance runner Damian Hall, despite also breaking the previous course record and his own from 2023, finished second behind his friend and rival. The turning point in their race was on Cross Fell, where Scott gained a lead that Hall could not recover.

Hall said: “I lost Jack at the top of Cross Fell. I decided I wasn’t going to chase, and that was the last time I saw him.”

Scott said: “I thought Damian was only three miles behind me. I just ran as hard as I could. It was so precious to me to hold the lead and win this race because it’s what I’ve dreamt of for years.

“It was an elite performance I’m very proud of.”

Konrad Rawlik. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Jack Scott slept only 54 minutes during the three days and 55 minutes it took him to complete the 268-mile course from Edale to Kirk Yetholm.

Third place in the event went to Konrad Rawlik, who is married to the previous record holder Jasmin Paris, who completed the course in 2019 in 3 days 11hrs 12mins 23secs.

Women's winner Claire Bannwarth. Photo: willbaldlygo

Honours in this year’s women’s race went to Claire Bannwarth, one of only a few runners to successfully defend their title.

Despite improving her winning 2023 time, she said: “This year was much much tougher.

“I didn’t plan to go faster; I just wanted to go at my own pace.” The French runner said she thoroughly enjoyed her Spine Race experience, relishing the traditions such as the chilli noodles bar provided by race stalwart John Bamber at Greg’s Hut on the flanks of Cross Fell, though she said they were much spicier than she was prepared for.

Hannah Rickman. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Hannah Rickman took second place for the second consecutive year, demonstrating both her outstanding running skills but also her exemplary sportsmanship. Event organisers said Rickman’s decision to help a distressed runner during the challenging blizzard conditions on Cross Fell exemplified the spirit of camaraderie fostered at the Spine Race, and her selfless act to help another runner.

Rickman revealed that at the 230-mile mark she too considered withdrawing from the race. “I had a few tears in Byrness, and considered DNF’ing. The last section turned out to be more of a sprint finish than I’d wanted to make up time. It’s been a learning experience for sure.

“I’ve received so many hugs on the way and everyone has been so kind.“

Lucy Gossage. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Fourteen-times Ironman champion Lucy Gossage made a successful transition to ultrarunning, completing her first ever Spine Race and finishing third.

Race organisers said: “Gossage’s tenacity and focus in overcoming sleeplessness and challenging conditions demonstrated her outstanding athletic calibre. With an emotional finish to her race, she claimed the race gave her everything she wanted from the experience.”

At the time of writing, 47 competitors were still on the Pennine Way, stretching from the Cheviots back to Bellingham, and have until 8am on Sunday to reach Kirk Yetholm before the final cut-off. A total of 70 entrants have retired from the race. Their progress can be followed on the Open Tracking website.