Kim Collison picks up Spine Race victory

The gruelling Montane Winter Spine Race has reached its conclusion, with British ultrarunner Kim Collison claiming the overall win. 

Collison put three years of heartbreak behind him as he recorded the third fastest time in the history of the event. 

Having set off at 8am on Sunday, he crossed the line shortly before 7pm on Wednesday in a time of 82 hours and 46 minutes. 

The race is widely considered one of Britain’s most brutal endurance races, which sees runners make the 268-mile trip along the Pennine Way. 

Runners begin the race in nearby Edale, before attempting to reach Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders within the 168-hour time limit. 

Fourth overall and winner of the women’s race was Lucy Gossage, who came third in last year's event. 

Meanwhile, the Sprint race from Edale to Hebden Bridge last Saturday was won by Hannah Bruce, who was the first woman across the line on her debut in the event.   

She crossed the finishing line in 12 hours 53 minutes. 

In the men’s section, Paul Brennan blitzed the competition by finishing nearly an hour ahead of Tom Hollins and James Trott, who crossed the line together in joint-second place. 

Elsewhere James Allen and Alice Kershaw were the winners of the 108-mile Challenger South race from Edale to Hardraw. 

Manchester based runner Allen arrived at Hawes in 34hrs 39mins to a cheering crowd of volunteers. 

Kershaw, who came second in this race in 2023, crossed the line in first place for the women after 43 hours 14 minutes on the trail.