Anna Troup Reclaims Her Spine: This Week's Trail Tally

Chasing Trails: Week 26

"Last week was definitely THE Summer Spine dot watching week for many of us. Brave runners conquered the Pennine Way from Edale to Kirk Yetholm in changing weather and rollercoasters of emotion. Plus, we turned our eyes to Snowdonia / Eryri, where the 14 Peaks Ultra brought together premier UK runners vying for a place in the Worlds team"

- Kate Parker, Director - Founder

Anna, Queen of the Spine

The Spine races always bring out so many fantastic stories and this year’s summer edition was no different. The dot watching for the full 268-mile adventure started last Sunday, 15th June, with some hot favourites and previous winners and record holders returning, surrounded by amazing challengers from all walks of life.

A seemingly untouchable John Shield took the lead early on, holding it through several days until having to take longer breaks because of foot problems. When the podium fell out of reach, he persevered to still reach Kirk Yetholm in 17th overall (12th man). Overtaking him and getting the male race win was Shane Morgan, whose time of 91:45:56 was good for a 3rd overall behind Anna Troup (84:56:37) and Irene Kinnegim (90:58:08).

For the first time in the race’s history, two women placed 1st and 2nd overall in a fantastic performance that had all dot watchers glued to their screens. Previously, Jasmin Parris had been the overall winner of the Winter Spine (2019) and Sabrina Verjee also dominated the Summer Spine (2019).

This year, Anna returned from an injury-caused break from running to not only take the overall win, but also set a new course record for the Summer Spine. “The Spine Race will never be tamed,” she told the BBC, “but hopefully other women will see this win and realise that it can be mastered.”

3rd placed woman was Nikki Han, whose time of 100:26:10 gained her the 7th overall position. In the men’s race, the podium was completed by Dominic Gill (94:46:45) and Tim Mcbain (96:12:19).

In the Sprint North race, which covers 43 miles from Brown Rigg to Kirk Yetholm, the women’s race had a unique storyline: Louise Goddard, who placed 2nd in the Sprint South, came back to run the north leg and win the women’s race, setting a new course record (9:05:51). She was second overall, just under 14 minutes behind 1st place male Matias Morgan, and joined on the female podium by Danielle De Simone (9:10:06) and Karen Wilton (9:30:57). It was a race dominated by female runners, with 2nd through 5th place overall, and 10th, being taken by women.  Matthew Berry was 2nd man (9:44:40), followed by Gary Howe in 3rd (10:24:21).

As for the Challenger North – 160 miles from Hardraw to the iconic Border Hotel in Kirk Yetholm – Allie Bailey won the women’s race, placing 7th overall in 53:11:57. Lynn Murphy was 2nd (56:55:41), followed by Emma Franklin (58:00:47). James Hargreaves won the men’s race (40:17:55), followed by Simon Triscott (44:22:45) and Andrew Miles (45:55:43).

Andrew Miles, winner of the MRT Challenger North, placed second overall (43:39:01).

© Screenshot from The Spine Race Youtube channel 

Skyrunning at its Best in Eryri

This year’s Skyrun Eryri, an iconic skyrunning event in the Welsh mountains, played host to the Trail Running Association’s Middle Distance British Trail Running Championships with the 14 Peaks Ultra – a challenging 55km course with 3,900m of ascent that ticks off all the peaks above 3,000ft in the area. This heated up the competition, especially as the top 2 placed in the female and male races are almost guaranteed a spot in the GB & NI Team for the Long Trail competition at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships held in Spain this September.

The result? Course records toppled, with the top 3 men and women all going under the previous best times on the route! The women’s podium was made up of Lizzie Richardson (8:12:15), followed by Holly Wootten (8:45:44) and Lauren Woodwiss (9:15:56). Lizzie was also 9th overall. 

In the men’s race, it was Hugh Chatfield who won in a super fast 6:39:56, with Jack Scott placing 2nd (6:48:58) and Alastair Graves 3rd (6:54:56).

We will confirm the Team GB & NI selection when UK Athletics publish their final decision later this month. 

Race to the King

Further south, we had the Race to the King this weekend, the iconic 100km ultra through the South Downs National Park, where runners follow ancient trails and historic paths in two loops: the flat and fast Coastal loop around Chichester harbour, followed by undulating terrain along the South Downs ridge.

This “fast” 100k crowned its winners in the tough hot conditions, with Sergio Torija winning in 9:45:50 in his 100k debut. He was joined on the podium by Robert Burbridge (10:10:24) and Andy Quicke (10:41:33). The women’s race saw Linda Goodchild win in 10:43:55, with Sophie Carter in 2nd place (12:01:32) and Phoebe Miles 3rd in her very first ultra (12:04:44).

A particular well done to Sophie, who is a single mum of 5 and a running coach. She won the 2024 Race to the Stones and set a new course record in the same year’s Race to the King. She was raising money for Help for Heroes with this year’s run.