‘More bad-news-breakfast we’re afraid’ as big names exit ‘Britain’s most brutal’ race

The Montane Winter Spine Race field was again whittled down on the second night of the event going into Tuesday.

As the race’s official X feed put it: “More bad-news-breakfast we’re afraid. Eugeni Roselló Sole has retired at CP3, and Summer Spine 2023 winner Dave Phillips has pulled out at Dufton.”

Roselló Sole won ‘Britain’s most brutal’ race in 2013 and we can now add James Nobles to the list of withdrawals.

Last year’s Northern Traverse winner had been going superbly and was in the top five in what was by far the longest continuous run he’d attempted.

Action replay in men’s race

All of which means that’s it’s last year’s first two of Damian Hall and Jack Scott who lead the way.

And this time it’s Scott, who missed out on a potential victory because of an unintentional navigation error 12 months ago, who has a slight advantage.

Both are ahead of the record pace schedule too – as is Konrad Rawlik in third, with Dougie Zinis not far behind in fourth.

Gossage still going well

Something special is again happening in the women’s race too, with Claire Bannwarth out on her own in front and in with a chance of bettering Jasmin Paris’ incredible all-time record.

And Lucy Gossage, as we reported on Monday night, has indeed moved into second place ahead of last year’s runner-up Hannah Rickman.

Former top Ironman triathlete Gossage is making her first first appearance in the Spine Race.

Dot Watchers can follow the progress of the runners in real time by tracking their GPS signals via this link.