Hannah Rickman takes women’s title and second overall at SILVA Northern Traverse

Hannah Rickman powered home clear of her other female rivals in the 300km SILVA Northern Traverse in a new fastest time, though it won’t count as a new course record.

The runner-up to Claire Bannwarth in the Winter Spine Race this year, Rickman dominated from the outset after setting out from St Bees on Saturday morning in the west coast to east coast event.

Battling stormy weather

And she finished in superb fashion too, overtaking David Parrish late on to come second in the overall behind men’s winner Dave Phillips.

It all meant she reached Robin Hood’s Bay on Monday lunchtime in 52 hours, 42 minutes and 18 seconds – just over 10 minutes quicker than the women’s best which was set by Lisa Watson in 2022.

However Rickman was directed to take the lower level route when Storm Kathleen hit early in the race and didn’t go over Kidsty Pike so Watson’s mark remains intact.

But such was Rickman’s dominance that she finished more than 12 hours ahead of her nearest female rival, Nia Albiston. Edwina Sutton was next in an all-British 1-2-3.

‘I was a sleepy mess’

Talking through her race afterwards, Rickman said: “It was so muddy – I was really ready to be done! A lot of the last bit was uncontrolled falling. I’m not aching in unusual ways, just the expected ways.

“Both of the nights were pretty rough. The weather during the first night was rubbish – painful and so slow going. It was pretty horrible – probably the worst conditions I’ve ever been out in overnight.

“On the second night I was a sleepy mess. I did a lot of curling up in a ball on the side of the trail, and the moors were cold. And every time I did try and sleep I got the muscles spasms coming in. All of the people and the volunteers were amazing!”

2024 Northern Traverse Results, Saturday April 6, 168 miles / 300km

WOMEN

1. Hannah Rickman (GBR) – 52:42:18
2. Nia Albiston (GBR) – 64:59:04
3. Edwina Sutton (GBR) – 71:56:29