The Spine finish line 2025

 

It's been a while since writing a blog post, mainly because I'm using this platform as a reflection on events & the last one was in November 2024. The next one is February but this experience I had was pretty mind blowing. Too much to put into words through an Instagram post. I also want to document this because I have a feeling this certain rabbit hole is going to be explored further in the distant future, I'm excited about it.

The Spine race for those of you who don't know is an event that covers the entire 268 miles of the Pennine Way from England to Scotland with a 168 hour time limit and over 10,000m elevation. Basic criteria to do the 'full' spine is having ran an 80 mile plus ultra, or completed one of the challenger events. It is not for the inexperienced. It is not a cheap race entry either. It'll set you back £1,195 for the entry alone & the mandatory kit list is extensive for safety reasons. Anyone who is toeing the line for the full is a very experienced runner. Finally, there's 150 places then it goes to a wait list. Which has been used as the popularity in this sport seems to be growing year on year.

There's smaller events. The challenger south from Edale to Hawes is 108 miles with a 60 hour limit. The challenger north from Hawes to Kirk Yetholm is 160 miles with a 108 hour time limit. Then the spine sprint which is 46 miles from Edale to Hebden Bridge with an 18 hour time limit. The sprint north is a new event to be launched from Brown Rigg to Kirk Yetholm, 43 miles with an 18 hour time limit. None of the 'smaller' events are easy or cheap, even the sprints will set you back over £100 entry fee not including the mandatory kit.

Last bit of information about the event, they have summer & winter versions of all events. Winter one being in January, summer one is in June.

I didn't know this race existed over 2 years ago. In 2023 I had heard of it but didn't follow too closely. Last year I watched a bit closer as Jack Scott annihilated the record, the unusual milder conditions for that time of year played their part but for someone to complete that whole course in a time of 72:55:05 is nothing short of spectacular, weather or not. I also made a friend through Instagram who completed the challenger north last year & she is incredible. Llinos played a huge part during the devil for me last year which I will be forever grateful for.

This year I set my 'dots' up for tracking over the weekend. I had a couple of people I chat to at the top of my list. Most notably Mel Sykes doing the full spine after winning the summer challenger south & completing Lakeland 100 post brain surgery. Truly inspirational & I was rooting for her to complete this mammoth challenge. I watched the challenger south get under way on Saturday morning & the snow looked like it was going to give the competitors an even bigger challenge on what was already huge. I do remember thinking to myself Jack Scott's record will be safe for another year as I couldn't imagine anyone beating that in those conditions. Sunday morning was similar when the full race started. The excitement for watching the dots was on! Challenger north didn't start until Monday morning but missed this as I had work to go to.

As the week unfolded an opportunity arose where I could have time off work as I had holidays to take & staffing allowed this. On the Wednesday seeing Kim Collison finish cemented my decision of wanting to go & see the finish line & this famous 'wall' they all touch, kiss & lean against when finishing. Turns out that wall is at the border hotel in Kirk Yetholm & is a 2 hour drive from my home. Friday morning arrived & I was on my way to the finish line. I was really excited. Would I see the well know ultra runners that have been on the spine socials? Damian Hall, Allie Bailey, John Kelly & Nicky Spinks (who had won challenger north during the week). If I saw them what would I say? All these thoughts on the drive down. I arrived in Town Yetholm, a drive through a wee road & I arrived in Kirk Yetholm. It was a quiet, small village. I got out the car & the bell tolled as it was 11 o'clock. I look over & there is the border hotel. With the couple of plastic finishing arches on the grass.

When I walked over to the hotel, no one was there. It was so peaceful & I had the place to myself to stare at the wall in awe. Imagine for myself what I had witnessed over the week & just had the biggest smile to be there. Then out of the hotel some volunteers appeared. 'Hi, who are you here to see?' they asked. I replied 'everyone!'. I just wanted to see anything to do with the spine then to see anyone cross that line would be a bonus. I was fortunate to arrive right as 2 men were about to finish challenger north. The night before had been rough with the wind I was told. One of the volunteers held a medal in their had awaiting the runners who were about to receive it. I asked if I could have a look & got to hold a spine medal in my hand for the first time!

The two men came down the hill then managed to muster a jog through the arches & to the famous wall. It was amazing to witness this 1st hand & I couldn't help but smile for them & what they had achieved. I kept back a bit for the media team & families to share this moment with them but snapped a couple of pictures. It turns out one of the gents is Martin Kelly & known among some of the running community I am familiar with here in Scotland. I'm delighted I've been able to share the photos with him as a memory he can keep.

I was speaking to Martin's wife about how amazing it was what he had done & a couple of other people as the runners are seen to in the hotel. Families aren't allowed in initially. During the conversation, Nicky Spinks appeared out of the hotel with the checkpoint chief (who is also Nikki), my face must have been a picture as I audibly gasped & think I said out loud 'oh my god, it's Nicky Spinks!'. For those of you who don't know her, she's an incredible runner & educates a lot on trail running. They walked past, saw me stare & my brain is screaming at me 'SAY HELLO!'. I said 'Hi' with a bit of a laugh & they went to a van. I had to go & say hello properly. I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't.

I went around to the van & said 'I'm really sorry to interrupt, my name is Nikki & I think you're an amazing runner!'. Nicky was so gracious & Nikki the checkpoint lead was just as lovely. I commented on how cool Bruce's Crown race looked (one of Nicky's events) but I was awful for navigation! It's in teams & only one has to navigate she informed me. It does look a very cool race. We also spoke about running poles then Nicky was gracious enough to have a picture with me.

As we concluded our conversation, another runner came across the line so I went to cheer them over with the other volunteers.

It was at this point I spotted another familiar face from the coverage, Cameron! Cameron has been presenting the YouTube channel throughout the week providing us with daily updates on how the runners are getting on. The coverage has been brilliant for people who are invested to follow the race progress.

I wasn't going to spend too long in Kirk Yetholm as I had to be back for the family. With the little time I had left I wanted to spend it getting a foot on the Pennine Way just to see what the fuss is about. Growing up, I wasn't too far from the start of the Pennine Way but having an upbringing where the family weren't 'outdoorsy' people, it wasn't really on my radar until my 30s. So I may have set foot on it in my early life, but I don't remember if I did. I was only walking a mile out & back for time factor, if you start at the end, you start on a hill! It was scenic & a good day for it.

After this signpost it wasn't too far when I turned back. I realised afterwards when looking at my Strava map had I turned left, I could have seen the border. One for next time! On the way back I met someone who had completed the challenger north earlier in the week. He recalled it being a tough event but he got a fantastic time from it. Even to complete in the conditions the runners had was remarkable. I really enjoy talking to other trail/ultra runners & hearing about their experiences. I'm like a sponge trying to obtain their tips & advice for my own future events. I even laugh now thinking what a lot of these runners complete during any of the spine events, it makes the fling (53 miles) seem small. Which I'm well aware it is not! We walked towards Kirk Yetholm, seeing the finish line there was a face I recognised straight away.

Allie Bailey is another tremendous ultra runner known for her honesty and not filtering her point of view on how she experiences events. It's refreshing. I said hello & told her how much I enjoyed her book. I also said I was a bit star struck to which she replied 'we are just normal people'. To a lot of people (myself included) they aren't normal. They are remarkable. Role models in what 'normal' people can achieve & push themselves to. I felt privileged she spoke to me as she had been volunteering all week. Volunteering as rewarding it can be, does take it out of you. Putting energy into people that need it more does take it out of you mentally & physically. I know this from volunteering at the fling last April & that was only one full (18 hour shift) day! It was brilliant to do, I'd recommend it as events need the volunteers to run. Allie was waiting on a runner she knew crossing the line & congratulated him for finishing. After this, my time in Kirk Yetholm was coming to a close. One last finisher for me to see crossing the line was cool, then it was time to go.

Seeing the muddy boots at the end is a cool feature at the side of the hotel! One last look back as I arrive at the car.

As mentioned at the start of the post, this event has entered my bucket list. For me, it won't be until my girls have grown up. Personally, I only started this hobby 2 years ago & to expect my family to go without me for a full week is too much right now. I'd definitely love to do the sprints in the nearer future, working my way up the distances. I'm still new to this & have a lot of work to do in all aspects of ultra running. The technique, fuelling & mentality. This was a cool wee trip to see what the extreme of resilience is in those who I was fortunate enough to see cross that finish line. I look forward to following future events, & possibly taking part soon enough.