Now in its 10th year the Montane Spine race from the south end of the Pennine Way National Trail to the northern end – some 268 miles – is in full flow. The race is being run all through this week, with waves of well equipped runners with rucksacks packed with essentials passing us by. Being January the weather’s in full flow too, with wind, rain, snow and freezing temperatures setting the bar even higher than usual for the runners.
The record breaking number of 500 entrants this year come from 22 countries and each have paid a £1,000 entry fee for the privilege. (Tickets sold out within three hours of going on sale). Maybe that’s one motive to keep going and arrive within prescribed times. The Spine Race is a huge mental and physical challenge, making it one of the most prestigious competitions of its kind in the world.
Our old friend and farming neighbour Helen is a keen long distance walker and knows what its like to be out in all weathers, for work or leisure. For the last nine years she’s kitted out two of her old farm buildings as rest point bothies for the hard pressed runner/walkers that the long distance path brings past the holding she runs with her husband, retired forester Norman. He makes the soup that Helen serves up for the contestants who call in – some 70 so far and counting. Helen is awake and there for the runners into the early hours. She sees their bobbing headlight torches emerge out of the pitch black off the fell before disappearing into the steep wooded valley of the burn, emerging again up over the field into their farmyard.
There’s a bed for emergency crash outs, toilet, bags of crisps and bars, with a calor gas heater and tea urn always on. The overflow secondary room across the yard, shared with horse tack and machinery, has a table and chairs for that brief but vital rest and morale booster. Next official check point is our main valley village over the fell 5.5 miles away. After that its one seemingly endless severe cross border trek over the Cheviots before descending to the finish at Kirk Yetholm. Hopefully to be greeted by family and friends and a pint at the Border Inn.
I cycled across at mid day to see the set up. Two middle aged guys, Mark and Jonathan, turned up the same time. Both of them as lean as whippets. ‘Been dreaming about this moment for the last ten miles’ said Jonathan as he sank into a chair, peeled off hat and gloves, and warmed his hands on the soup Helen handed him. A little later, over mugs of tea, they swopped tales of other runners, conditions met en route, and speculated on the way ahead. Hallucinations always a problem for everyone, as much as the amount of mud churned up on the bleakest, most exposed sections. Falling asleep for a few seconds whilst still running also a common occurrence. The two fell in together on this past leg over the north Pennines from Alston and although they might not always stay in lock pace they expect to complete the course anytime between 100 – 120 hours. The leading runners, all veterans of the race, have already got there, clocking in around 85 hours.
Following the damage wrought by Storm Arwen in December 2021 whole swathes of Kielder Forest are still being slowly cleared. The section by Hadrian’s Wall presented problems for the race organisers. Despite work being completed the continuing presence of heavy duty plant and haulage have necessitated a painfully wide detour which has made that boggy section even more challenging. The Spine Race is actually three races. Apart from the main one along the whole length there’s a shorter one of 108 miles from Hawes and a 46 mile sprint at the Derbyshire end. You can find out a lot more about competition and competitors, or get the app to follow progress, here.https://thespinerace.com/
STEPHEN TOMLIN 