If you run, walk or stagger into a Spine checkpoint and say ‘Enough, I’m out’, the volunteers will politely not hear you and ask what you would like to eat and drink. They aren’t being rude, it’s just that the time you can spend in a checkpoint can change everything. When I DNFed in 2021,Continue reading “The Summer Spine Challenger North – tough enough (Part Two)”
Tag Archives: trail-running
In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great – Uzbekistan, a brief introduction..
Sometimes I find myself running a very long way away from the Pennine Way. Not at all Spine related but as I was privileged enough to find myself running the first ever ultra race to be staged in Uzbekistan I thought it was worth a few words…however I don’t really do a few words soContinue reading “In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great – Uzbekistan, a brief introduction..”
The Summer Spine Challenger South – Soggy, boggy and foggy!
As those that have followed my Pennine journey from the start will know, I initially entered the Spine Race without any research or real knowledge of the race, started it in the same state and ended with a DNF and a desire to return with the knowledge I gained (plus a bit more) and completeContinue reading “The Summer Spine Challenger South – Soggy, boggy and foggy!”
The Way of Legends – The Golden Edition
I ran the Way of Legends in 2018. I came second to someone much quicker than me and had a bit of a tussle for my place with a quick Frenchman. It was a brilliantly organised race and one I considered doing again but then Covid happened, the race didn’t and it looked like theContinue reading “The Way of Legends – The Golden Edition”
The Fellsman Three 60
Sometimes I run a race and it’s so hard that at some point during the event I declare it a ‘one and done’ and vow that I will never do it again as long as I finish this time. My first Lakeland 100 was definitely a ‘one and done’ – I’m going back for myContinue reading “The Fellsman Three 60”
The Winter Spine Race 2024 – it’s cold outside…(Final part)
I attempted to get some sleep at the checkpoint but it didn’t work too well. Ironically the only place I was cold all week was in the sleeping area of CP5. I got up, got dressed and ate copious amounts of rice pudding with jam for breakfast. I was offered porridge but I felt riceContinue reading “The Winter Spine Race 2024 – it’s cold outside…(Final part)”
The Winter Spine Race 2024 – it’s cold outside…(Part Five)
After I’d showered and dressed I went looking for food. The overriding principle of the Spine Race is that everything must be done for everyone or for no-one. This means there can be no favouritism. This meant I couldn’t have a bacon sandwich because there wasn’t enough bacon for everyone to have one. This wasContinue reading “The Winter Spine Race 2024 – it’s cold outside…(Part Five)”
The Winter Spine Race 2024 – it’s cold outside…(Part Four)
Whilst the Spine Race presents a huge challenge for the runners, it is arguably even more of a challenge for the organisers. In both cases it is necessary to be prepared for all eventualities and try and have strategies in place to cope with them should they arise. In the case of the organisers thisContinue reading “The Winter Spine Race 2024 – it’s cold outside…(Part Four)”
The Winter Spine Race 2024 – it’s cold outside…(Part Two)
I can’t remember if I had any more food before leaving Checkpoint One but I’m fairly sure I had a couple of cups of coffee. I don’t normally take sugar in coffee but on the Spine Race I wasn’t interested in the taste of the drink, it was just a means to obtain caffeine andContinue reading “The Winter Spine Race 2024 – it’s cold outside…(Part Two)”
The Winter Spine Race 2024 – it’s cold outside…(Part One)
When I first decided I was going to take on the Spine Race there was only one thing I was very definite about - I would only ever do the Summer version. The Winter version was cold, dark and had no appeal to me whatsoever. Anyway it’s January 2024 and I’m waiting to register for theContinue reading “The Winter Spine Race 2024 – it’s cold outside…(Part One)”
The Only Way Is Pennine... 