It has emerged that a runner was withdrawn from the Montane Winter Spine Race Challenger South due to safety concerns.
The Challenger South is a non-stop, 108-mile race along the Pennine Way and one of the support events to the full Winter Spine, which is dubbed “Britain’s most brutal” ultramarathon.
Beginning from Edale in Derbyshire, runners have a time limit of 60 hours to get to the finish at Hawes. The race covers the southern section of the trail which features the iconic moorland of the Kinder Plateau, numerous National Parks, Malham Cove and Pen-y-Ghent.
Organisers commend resilience
And one of the field was UK runner Sarah Porter, who was 30 miles into the race when the organisers made the difficult call.
They explained: “So far in the 2026 Winter Spine Race, we have already seen a number of unfortunate withdrawals.
“Among them is Sarah Porter, who has been fundraising for charity and has now been withdrawn from the race due to safety concerns.
“We extend our best wishes to all runners who were unable to complete the event and commend their efforts, commitment, and resilience.”
‘Freedom is just a dream’ for many
Porter’s GoFundMe page is still online and is closing on the halfway point of the £100,000 fundraising target in support of young women and girls in Afghanistan.
“It reads: The Spine Ultramarathon is a brutal challenge. 108 miles. 60 hours. 5,500m of ascent. -10° temperatures. Yet it will never compare to the daily challenge of life for girls and young women in conflict zones.
“Sarah has always seen running as freedom. A freedom to explore, to push boundaries and herself, mentally and physically. In contrast, she knows that for millions of girls and young women around the world, freedom is just a dream.
“So Sarah has spent the last 10 years as the driving force behind a team of dedicated people helping girls navigate to safety. Giving them a chance for freedom, to create change for themselves and the world around them.”
