Here's a rundown of the highlights and the phenomenal athletes who conquered the Montane Summer Spine Race 2025.

Summer Spine Sprint South:

Kicking off the weekend's brutal race calendar was the Summer Spine Sprint South, a rapid and intense burst over the southern section of the Pennine Way. This shorter, yet still demanding, race tested runners' speed and resilience.

Chris Cope absolutely flew through the course, setting an astonishing new course record with a time of 6 hours, 36 minutes, and 41 seconds. Not far behind, #TeamMontane athlete, Victoria Thompson made history as the 1st woman and an incredible 2nd place overall, finishing over 40 minutes ahead of the previous female course record. An incredible achievement. Rounding out the top three was Sean Merryweather, securing a well-deserved 3rd overall spot.

Summer Spine Challenger South

The Challenger South presented a more significant test of endurance, taking runners through exposed and challenging sections of the trail, where the summer weather, though warm, could still turn fickle.

It was a tough day for many, with Chris Andrade reportedly facing some rough weather and tough conditions through the most exposed parts of the course. Despite the adversity, his determination shone through. Mark Potts secured a strong 2nd place, notably mirroring his 2nd place finish in the Montane Winter Spine Challenger South back in January – a testament to his consistent performance across seasons. Dougie Findlay claimed 3rd place, building on his impressive 4th at the Winter Spine Sprint in January. Leading the women, Eleanor Walker was the 1st female, calling the race a "bucket list experience" – an ambition fulfilled with triumph.

Summer Spine Sprint North:

Heading further north, the Summer Spine Sprint North offered its own unique set of challenges, demanding speed and resilience over rugged northern terrain.

At just 21 years old, Matias Morgan put in a sensational performance, finishing in 8 hours, 51 minutes, and 55 seconds. He described the race as "tough but immensely rewarding," showcasing incredible promise for the future. Louise Goddard took 2nd place, following up a podium finish at the Summer Spine Sprint South the weekend before. A former Spine Race volunteer, Louise is now actively encouraging more women to take on the trails – a fantastic ambassador for the sport. Danielle De Simone completed the top three, claiming 3rd place overall with a time of 9 hours, 10 minutes, and 6 seconds.

Summer Spine Challenger North:

The Challenger North pushed athletes over a considerable distance, demanding strategic pacing and unwavering mental fortitude as they navigated 160 miles of the Pennine Way.

James Hargreaves set off at a blistering pace, a speed that even concerned race organisers! Remarkably, he maintained his formidable pace until the very last stretch, where he candidly admitted the wheels did eventually fall off – a true display of pushing limits. Andrew Miles secured a commendable 2nd place with a time of 43 hours, 39 minutes, and 1 second. The 3rd place went to Simon Triscott, who, after an astounding 160 miles on his feet, reached the finish after 44 hours and 22 minutes. In the women's race, Allie Bailey was the 1st female, completing the challenging course in 53 hours, 11 minutes, and 7 seconds.

The Full Montane Summer Spine Race 2025: Women Lead the Pack Winning 1st and 2nd Place on the Podium

The pinnacle of the Spine series, the Full Montane Summer Spine Race is an unimaginable test of endurance, covering the entire 268-mile length of the Pennine Way in what can only be described as a brutal, beautiful, and utterly relentless journey.

The race began with a determined effort from #TeamMontane athlete, Jon Shield, a previous winner of both the Winter Spine Sprint and Summer Challenger South. He took a quick lead, passing through the first checkpoint a remarkable 7 minutes ahead of the course record pace, signalling his intent for victory. However, hot on his heels in the chasing group was the formidable Anna "#Soupertrouper" Troup. With her extensive experience, having been a champion of the race in both 2021 and 2022, Anna took the race in her stride. Facing the brutally long course in soaring summer temperatures, she ultimately triumphed, winning the race and reaching the iconic Border Hotel in Kirk Yetholm after an astounding 84 hours, 56 minutes, and 37 seconds. A truly incredible comeback victory for a legend of the Spine Race.

Securing a fantastic second place for the Full Spine Race was Irene Kinnegim with a time of 90 hours, 58 minutes, and 8 seconds. And rounding out the podium, Shane Morgan earned third place after a monumental effort, crossing the finish line in 91 hours, 45 minutes, and 56 seconds.

Congratulations to every single participant in the Montane Summer Spine Race 2025! Whether you set a course record, pushed through unimaginable pain, or simply made it to the start line, your courage and determination are an inspiration. The Spine continues to be a highlight of the ultra-running calendar, and we eagerly await next year's incredible tales of triumph on the Pennine Way.