The Montane Winter Spine Challenger South is a non-stop, 108 mile race along the Pennine Way. Beginning from Edale in Derbyshire, runners have a time limit of 60 hours to get to the finish at Hawes. The race covers the southern section of the trail which features the iconic moorland of the Kinder Plateau, numerous National Parks, Malham Cove and Pen-y-Ghent. This challenging and technical section is a physically and psychologically demanding route that requires concentration, good physical fitness, resolve and respect. This becomes even more demanding with the full intensity and ferocity of the British Winter in deep snow, storm force winds and driving rain. This is a notoriously difficult event and should be considered as having a similar degree of difficulty as the full Montane Winter Spine.”
The start of the race was dry with clear blue skies and snow and ice on the ground Edale which got deeper as we started going off road along the Pennie Way.As we got up in the hills the views were amazing with the snow covering which was deeper the higher we got and you were fighting yopur way through drifts which were challenging and hard work.
First support point at Hebden Bridge was much welcomed where you had access to your drop bag, hot food and showers and were able to sleep if you needed to, I did not and had some hot drinks and food and taped a hot spot on my heal and straight back out on to the trails and into the snow covered hills again.
3 of us teamed up crossing the hills through the night towards Top Withens and battled through snow blizzards which eventually turned to driving wind and rain which pretty much remained for the rest of the race.
The further North we got the previous snow fall they had had turned to deep slush and under this was Black ice that you could not see so again made it really hard work under foot and my feet were constantly wet and cold but we keep pushing forward.
One of the other guys pulled out once we reached a small village and we had a quick stop in the local Co-Op to get some hot food and drink which was really needed before we started the final push towards Malham Tarn and then on to the finish in the dark with a really long up hill section that seemed to go on for every with strong winds, mist more snow drifts, plenty of deep slush and black ice.Once at the top we could see the lights in the distanes of Hawes which were several miles away but gave us that push that we were nearing the finish and some warm food and drink and fresh clothes.
A fantastic welcome at the finish line with photos and medals and the Volunteers and support staff were amazing and could not do enough for us.
At least 80% of the race I wore Microspikes due to the snow and ice which was a new experience and they are probably one of the best pieces of kit I have bought for trail running
Stats
152 starters
82 Finishers
53.9% Completion rate
I finished 19th overall and 13th male with a chip time of 38hrs 54mins 06secs.
Initially I said if I finished I would enter the full Spine next time but when I finished it was a definate no chance, now I have recovered and had chance to reflect on the race and whole experience my viewe is changing so watch this space!
Gareth Henwood