The brutally hot conditions made an already-daunting challenge close to impossible last week and Jack Scott pulled the plug on his attempt at the Pennine Way fastest known time (FKT) before the halfway point.
In 2024, Scott won the Winter Spine Race on England’s oldest National Trail, covering it south to north, in a race record time of 72hrs 55mins, barely sleeping as he shattered the previous best.
Two years on, he returned hoping to run its full 260 miles at record pace, this time north to south (Kirk Yetholm to Edale) and in summer. But the heatwave which has gripped the UK and much of Europe proved one obstacle too many and meant the record stays at an incredible 58hrs 04mins, set by American ultra runner John Kelly in May 2021.
Inspired by Jasmin Paris
And writing on Instagram Scott said: “I had psyched myself out of another day of high temperatures and was daunted by that.
“Legs were good, but stomach and brain had departed.
“Thanks for the support online and out there. I realised how important this run was to people, this run and this route. I saw a lady on Hadrians wall with her husband, the smile and energy on her face because someone was trying to do something hard and different on a trail I presume she has her own memories and connection with, was my long run highlight. I could feel the passion and purpose. It felt like a ‘I can’t do this, but maybe you can Jack’ kind of moment.
“I stepped onto the road at the top of Great Dunner Fell and the run was over.
“I jogged down with my pacers and we rounded it up to 100 [miles].
“I think my time will come.”
And later, writing on a blog for sponsors INOV8, he added: “Last night when I was brushing my teeth I had a really random thought about Jasmin Paris. If she didn’t have the bottle or want or willingness to keep trying at the Barkley Marathons then history would have never showed what we saw when we she touched the gate.”
‘You’ve got it in you’ – Kelly
And there has been a huge amount of support following his gutsy attempt, not least from record holder John Kelly who said: “Keep that chin up! You’ve inspired a lot of people and should be proud of your effort. Took me 2 tries to get it right, has taken me that or more on about everything!
“But I also know that’s little comfort at the moment. Let yourself feel that low for a bit, then build back better. I also know the feeling of seeing the forecast but not wanting to ask so many people to move their schedules around (again).
“An effort like this is tough in ways most people will never know. But you’ll be stronger, wiser, and if you give it another go probably do even better than you would’ve done on this one regardless! You’ve got it in you.”
And speaking in the embedded post above, Scott gave more detail on what unfolded: “The heat won and caused some issues which hopefully I can talk about in a future video or future post. Skin temperature, core temperature. It was a problem – a problem that I tried to use my experience and knowledge to square, but once it’s there and you’ve gone too far, there’s not really any way back.
“My legs feel incredible, which is good and bad and leaves a bittersweet taste in my mouth because the conditioning was there.
“Obviously I knew it was going to be hot. What did I do to factor that in? I don’t think I started too quick. I think I had the right runners in the right place. But it built up and it broke me down, basically.
“When you want to break records and be the best that you can be, you need to have the capability to go to a new realm, suffer, figure it out and pass through it.
“And I couldn’t, which is frustrating. But we get on with it. Life goes on. I understand it’s a failure, which is fine. I’m not after any sympathy, but I’m glad that I passed through it and I’m glad I tried for a long time. But it was five hours basically of the worst discomfort and declining energy loss I’ve ever felt.”
![Yee (far left) and Sawe (far right) [Photo credit: TCS London Marathon]](https://run247.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Alex-Yee-start-London-Marathon-2026-912x720.jpg)
