Search

RUN247 / Running News / Trail Running News / John Kelly pays tribute to Montane Spine Race victors

John Kelly pays tribute to Montane Spine Race victors

Stuart Dick
Reporter
Updated on

Ultra-running legend John Kelly took to social media to praise the efforts of Damian Hall, Jack Scott, Claire Bannwarth, and all those who finished the Montane Spine Race.

Hall took victory in a time of 84:36:24 becoming the quickest male to complete the treacherous 268-mile course, taking the winter record from none other than Kelly, who clocked 87:53:57 when winning in 2020.

Hall actually crossed the finish line with Scott – but the latter was awarded a 48-minute penalty for veering off course, although that was reduced to 40 minutes “for stopping to assist another runner in need”.

“Congrats to Damian Hall on a well-deserved win at The Spine Race! And to Jack Scott for pushing him every step of the way, Claire Bannwarth for a huge win in the women’s race, & everyone who lined up to test themselves on the Pennine Way in the middle of winter,” Kelly posed on his Facebook page.

Advertisement

“Intrigue and appeal has returned”

Damian Hall 2023 winner snow photo credit Montane Spine Race
Damian Hall en route to victory [Photo credit: Montane Spine Race]

Kelly, 38, then reminisced about his own 2020 triumph, describing the feeling that he was making a mistake throughout his successful effort.

Even with the bad memories of his 2020 jaunt, Kelly admits that following the trackers has somehow brought back his intrigue around the event.

“The past two years, as I’ve sat watching the trackers, somehow the intrigue and appeal has returned. I don’t quite know why.

“Maybe after three outings on the Pennine Way it’s some form of Stockholm syndrome. Maybe it’s just a desire to spend time with the amazing & I guess equally crazy people who participate.

“But the most likely explanation I can come up with is that it’s the purest form I’ve experienced of one of my favorite parts of ultrarunning – being stripped down to my basics and directly facing who I am.

“My strengths, my weaknesses, doubts, goals – I’m alone in the dark with all of them, locked inside 6 layers of clothing. No grand alpine views to offer a distraction, only enough daylight to provide a reminder that it’s not a dream, and the elements themselves constantly challenging that internal dialogue.

“Within that bubble, with the strange calmness and peace that can come on a raging winter’s night, “who I am” becomes stronger, wiser, and more resilient.

“Or… maybe it’s just that Damian Hall ran it faster than me.”

Stuart Dick
Written by
Stuart Dick
Stuart is a graduate of the University of Sunderland with a masters' degree in Sports Journalism. He spends a lot of his time running and cycling around West Yorkshire, England.

Latest Running News

Katharina Hartmuth at the Tor des Géants [Photo credit: Tor des Géants press office | Stefano Coletta - Zzam Agency]
Record-breaking German star trying ‘to make the impossible possible’ at Hardrock 100
Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon wins Van dAran 2025
Val d’Aran by UTMB 2025 results: Runners win out over dramatic weather in the Pyrenees
Faith Kipyegon Breaking4 Paris June 2025 photo credit Nike
Kipyegon breaks 1,500m world record and Chebet first woman to go sub-14 for 5,000m on historic day in Oregon
Katie Schide smiles finish UTMB 2024 photo credit UTMB
Pommeret and Schide the headline names ahead of upcoming Hardrock 100
Fiona Pascall wins Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB 2025 Photo credit: UTMB World Series
“Adrenaline from being charged by a bear” propels British star to top five at Western States
trail running on your terms

Never miss out with our trail alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.

The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...