Brennan and Bruce take Sprint titles as Allen and Kershaw dominate Winter Spine Challenger South

The Montane Winter Spine Race ‘proper’ may only just be under way but already we’ve got four winners to report from two of the other events.

It may be called the ‘Sprint’ but the 46-mile course from Edale to Hebden Bridge was a particularly gruelling one this year given the icy and snowy conditions.

Runners battled deep snow, black ice and temperatures as low as -9 as they took on the course, most of which time was spent in the dark.

Close call in women’s race

Paul Brennan was first across the line, winning the men’s race in 9hrs 26min, almost an hour ahead of joint second-placed Tom Hollins and James Trott (10hrs 17min).

Hannah Bruce marked her Spine Race Debut in style, winning the women’s race in 12hrs 53 mins, just 15 minutes ahead of second placed Meredith Moody (13hrs 8mins).

Black Trail Runners Ambassador Rebecca Deveroux was third across the line in 13hrs 16 mins, persisting in wearing shorts for the entire duration of the Sprint despite freezing temperatures!

Solo success for Allen

Meanwhile James Allen and Alice Kershaw were the winners of the 108-mile Montane Winter Spine Challenger South from Edale to Hardraw.

Running by himself in the lead since Hebden Bridge (after pre-race favourite Mark Darbyshire and Rupert Allison retired), Manchester based runner Allen arrived at Hawes in 34hrs 39mins to a cheering crowd of volunteers.

When the leaders dropped away, he had to dig deep to navigate and push through alone, but his determination paid off.

Alice crossed the line in first place for the women after 43hrs 14mins on the trail, looking remarkably fresh despite tackling some of the toughest sections in pitch-black conditions.

She came second in this race in 2023 and added to her two excellent Winter Sprint results, she has now featured on a Spine Race podium an incredible fourth time.

Mark Potts claimed second place in 35hrs 24mins in the men’s category, finishing strong despite 108 miles of treacherous snow.

Sam Tansley secured 3rd place with a stellar performance of 37hrs 44mins. The Yorkshireman said that his familiarity with the Pennine Way proved invaluable in these brutal conditions.

Charlotte Black and Alison Love took joint second for the women.

The pair crossed the finish line alongside 10th male Richard Andrews, who the pair had been running with since Hebden.

It was all the more impressive result given this was a Spine Race debut for both runners, and in particularly ‘Spine-y’ conditions.