Cassidy and Collison make fast starts in Winter Spine – but last year’s runner-up Rickman is out

There’s been a fascinating first day at the Montane Winter Spine Race, with some big names already forced to retire.

There were proper ‘Spine-y’ conditions at the start of the 268-mile trek up the Pennine Way from Edale – lots of snow and ice after a prolonged cold spell in the UK.

But the big thaw started on Monday and the runners now look set for a bog-fest as they make their way up to Kirk Yetholm on the English-Scottish border.

Statement start from Cassidy

Up front it’s Kim Collison and Robyn Cassidy – who has powered clear in the women’s race – who have made the fastest starts.

Collison was the winner of the Swiss Peaks Trail 360 last year and has also triumphed in the Northern Traverse and Arc of Attrition in the past but has DNF next to his name in each of his three Winter Spine attempts despite some strong starts.

He reached checkpoint 2 in Hawes at 9:23 on Monday, having set out at 8am on Sunday.

That was just over 20 minutes ahead of Eugeni Roselló Solé, the winner back in 2013.

It’s very close for third between Sam Skinner, Dave Phillips and Tiaan Erwee and then there’s a gap back to pre-race favourite John Kelly in sixth.

Rickman exits at Malham

Meanwhile in the women’s race Cassidy has stormed clear.

The 2023 Dragon’s Back winner was over 90 minutes in front of her nearest rival at Malham Tarn.

That’s former top triathlete Lucy Gossage, who made such an impact on her debut last year when taking third.

But the last two runners-up – Hannah Rickman and Elaine Bisson – are both out.

Rickman retired at Horton-in-Ribblesdale while Bisson withdrew after the Hebden checkpoint.

And in the men’s race Simon Roberts and Rory Harris are two of those to make an early exit.

You can watch the action unfold with the live tracker here.