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Grundy and Spinks leave rivals trailing in Montane Winter Spine Challenger North

Jonathan Turner
News Director
Updated on

British duo Paul Grundy and Nicky Spinks were the respective winners of the Montane Winter Spine Challenger North.

A non-stop, 160-mile race along the Pennine Way from Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm, it started at 8am on Monday – 24 hours after the Spine Race ‘proper’.

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Childhood inspiration

Grundy, holder of the Northumberland Coastal Path FKT (fastest known time), took on this challenge because he walked the Pennine Way with his Dad at the age of 14 and always wanted to race the iconic route.

He looked relaxed throughout as he battled all kinds of weather – from snow and ice through to the threat of floods as it all melted.

His was a dominant display too – he reached Kirk Yetholm on the English / Scottish border almost exactly two days after setting off in a time of 48 hours and three minutes, which included a penalty of 38 minutes for missing a late diversion at Cauldron Snout.

He’s hopeful of taking on the full Winter Spine Race next year.

Paul Grundy Montane Winter Spine Race Challenger North 2025 [Photo credit: The Spine Race]
Paul Grundy celebrates his win [Photo credit: The Spine Race]

Joint second were Serbia’s Jovica Spajic and Briton Oliver Richards.

The duo ran together from mile 15, braving freezing snow and muddy trails to finish side by side in Kirk Yetholm, teamwork prevailing through gruelling conditions.

Spajic has touched the wall before having won the Montane Summer Spine Challenger North in 2023 and 2024, but his previous attempt to complete the race in Winter ended in disappointment, making this an even sweeter moment for him.

When finishing the summer race last time around, Jovica made a point of taking time at the wall to thanks all the volunteers and safety team members across the race for all their help and support and he made certain to express his massive gratitude this time around too.

His medal was presented by the Bishop of Newcastle, a big ultrarunning fan, who had come to visit the finish line.

Spinks shines again

UK running legend Nicky Spinks added another title to her impressive collection with victory in the women’s race.

The 57-year-old was in a class of her own and had over two hours to spare over her closest rivals.

She crossed the line at 4.49pm local time on Wednesday after 56 hours and 49 minutes on the Pennine Way.

Spinks has previously set the women’s record for the Bob Graham, Ramsay and Paddy Buckley rounds. She also finished fifth in the women’s race at the full Winter Spine Race last year, and has come to other events to help other ‘Spiners’ on their journeys as part of the volunteer team.

Nicky Spinks Montane Winter Spine Race 2025 [Photo credit: The Spine Race]
Nicky Spinks was all smiles at the finish in Kirk Yetholm [Photo credit: The Spine Race]

And like the men’s race there was also a tie for second, with Samantha Lissauer and Rebecca Hormann crossing the line together.

Samantha, last year’s Winter Challenger South winner, and Swiss athlete Rebecca who set a course record earlier this year at the GB Ultras Scotland 100, paired up in the early stages and made the decision to stick together in the rough weather conditions.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  

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