Kim Collison on his way to victory in the 2025 Montane Spine Race. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Kim Collison has won the Montane Winter Spine Race.

The Cumbria-based athlete led the race from its early stages on Sunday, and arrived at the finish in Kirk Yetholm, with a provisional time of 3 days 10hrs 46mins 32secs, about 16km ahead of second-placed fellow-Briton Dave Phillips.

South African runner Tiaan Erwee was in third place at the time of writing, within 2km of Phillips, with US athlete John Kelly falling back slightly. Kelly is also carrying a 13-minute time penalty for not following a safety diversion at Falcon Clints in upper Teesdale.

Lucy Gossage leads the women's race. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Lucy Gossage leads the women’s race after overtaking early leader Robyn Cassidy. Gossage is currently running close to Kelly in fifth overall place. Cassidy retains second place as she prepares to leave Byrness for the final sections across the Cheviots. Manx runner Nikki Arthur is third female runner.

Competitors faced snow and ice underfoot and sub-zero temperatures in the early stages of the race, but a rapid thaw left the course slush covered and muddy. Kelly described conditions as the hardest he has encountered in the event.

Kim Collison reaches the finish line at Kirk Yetholm. Photo: willbaldlygo/The Spine Race

Nine women and 74 men are still out on the 268-mile course, with tail-ender James Barlow approaching Langdon Beck checkpoint in Teesdale, and Hannah Mackinnon the final female runner, about 3km ahead of Barlow.

Competitors have seven days to complete the course, running the full length of the Pennine Way. The race started at 8am on Sunday.

Collison’s finish time is the third fastest recorded in the event.

Runners’ progress can be followed on the Open Tracking website.