Anna Troup added the women’s Montane Winter Spine Race title to the summer crown she won outright last year with a brilliant display in incredibly challenging conditions.
The gruelling 268-mile slog from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm on the English / Scottish border is billed as ‘Britain’s most brutal’ ultramarathon and that was underlined this year by snow, ice and then waterlogged sections.
But the British star ran with Finland’s Johanna Antila for most of the way after catching the early pacesetter between Malham Tarn and Hawes.
It looked as if they would finish together but – in echoes of the drama that played out in the men’s race – Antila withdrew less than 15 miles from the finish.
That left Troup, a multiple winner of the Summer Spine, on her own to cross the line in 106 hours and 19 minutes to win the Winter version of the race for the first time.
She joins an exclusive club of only three runners to have won both a Winter and Summer Spine race.
‘Brave and sensible decision’
Antila, who has top tens to her name at both Western States and UTMB (12th and 17th), took the race by the scruff of its neck early on.
But once joined by Troup the pair worked superbly together to navigate the tricky terrain and everything the weather threw at them.
However, with the finish line beckoning then came the shock news that it was race over for Antila.
The Spine media team explained: “Johanna, who has been leading the race alongside Anna Troup since the early stages, took the brave and sensible decision to end her race just before Hut Two.
“She’d been battling issues with her feet for a while and was unable to continue. She’s now being looked after the Safety Teams.
“Johanna is an incredible runner, and to cover nearly 255 miles of the Pennine Way, racing a Spine legend the entire time, is simply remarkable.
“We hope Johanna returns to the Spine race in the future and wish her well in her recovery!”
Horsfield poised for second
Antila’s exit meant that Fiona Horsfield (GBR) was up to second, around 12 miles behind Troup.
And as things stand, Sophie Grant (NZL) is on course for third, another 10 miles adrift.
Montane Winter Spine Race results
Sunday 11 January – Thursday 15 January 2026, 268 miles
WOMEN
- Anna Troup (GBR) – 106:19:12
- tbc
- tbc
