Winter Racing in Full Swing ❄️ : This Week's Trail Tally

Hurtwood 50 © Freedom Racing & No Limits Photos

Chasing Trails: Week 50

Winter running is in full swing, with classic events like the Cheviot Goat and Hurtwood 50k challenging trail runners in the cold. Massive congratulations to everyone who pushed themselves this past weekend, and well done to those still out training for late December runs and big goals in January!

Wet & Wintery Hurtwood 50k Crowns Jodie Gauld and Anthony Grant-Haynes

This weekend brought seriously wintery conditions to the trails, but runners were out in force across the country. In the south, it was a moody day for the Hurtwood 50k in the Surrey Hills. Starting from Dorking, runners made their way up and down a mix of hills, in the mist and mud, to clock 50 km and 1277 m of ascent (30 miles and 4192 feet).

Jodie Gauld put in a convincing performance to win the women’s race in 4:49:50, ahead of second-placed Lucy Williams (5:33:16) and third-placed Alison Mason (5:43:26).

In the men’s race, Anthony Grant-Haynes came away with the win ahead of Hugh Tibbs (whose amazing 2025 season includes a record-breaking 100-mile run at the Autumn 100) and Alex Hamlet. Their times: 3:43:25 for Anthony; 3:57:04 for Hugh; and 3:58:26 for Alex. 

Congratulations to Ant for also setting a new course record!

Jodie during Hurtwood 50 © Will Harper-Penrose

Robyn Cassidy and Sam Skinner Win the Cheviot Goat Ultra

There was more exciting winter racing in the north of the country, where the Cheviot Goat Ultra took place over the weekend. In the isolated, unforgiving landscape of the Cheviots, runners took on a 60-mile course with 13,000 feet of ascent (100km and 3965 m) in brutally cold, wintery conditions. With a cut-off of 24 hours, the race starts at Ingram Village Hall and crosses peat covered hills, icy terrain, grassy descents, and brilliant frosty scenery. The high point is the Cheviot, an extinct volcano and the highest of the hills around, at 815m.

Out of a small field of 150 brave starters, only 100 made it around this tough loop on time. Robyn Cassidy, this year’s Winter Spine Race runner-up and no stranger to tough mountain challenges, put on a fantastic performance to take the win as first lady, sixth overall, in 13:39:29. She was joined on the podium by another legend of the fells, Nicky Spinks, who finished in 14:43:15, and Lynn Allen, who crossed the finish line in 16:57:21.

In the men’s race, it was Harrier PRO Team athlete Sam Skinner who took the win after battling with Simon Roberts throughout the day, then making a decisive move in the second half to end almost half an hour ahead of second place. His finishing time: 11:54:07; he was followed by Simon in 12:22:46 and Kieran Lowe in 12:40:20.

Speaking after the race, Sam told us: “The Cheviot Goat is a classic and I am so happy with the result. Simon and I pushed hard from the start to break away from the other pack. The conditions were difficult underfoot, we were up to our waist numerous times and a lot of the course is on unmarked tracks, so you had to pick your lines carefully through the unforgiving bogs. After Barrowburn checkpoint, I rolled the dice and broke away… I am extremely happy to have kept the momentum and belief in the second half of that race, I’d say it was my best performance to date.”

Well done to all the brave runners who took on this event!

The men’s podium at Cheviot Goat Ultra

Robyn receiving her trophy © Cold Brew Events

Winter on the Downs Crowns 50k, 55 Miles & 100 Miles Winners

Back down south, UK Ultra put on a wintery running show with three race distances across East and West Sussex. The 100-miler started just outside Eastbourne, covering some of the South Downs Way, and challenging runners to brave the wind and cold while climbing 13,000 feet (just under 4000m). It was Andrea Harwood who got the win in the women’s race, coming in in 23:25:53 and placing eighth overall. Very close behind was second-placed Rachel Piper (23:39:01, tenth overall). Hannah Hall was third in 25:57:34. In the men’s race, the podium was made up of Joshua Woods (17:47:26), who stormed to victory well ahead of Charlie Bulled (19:20:40) and Lyndon Cooper (20:42:26).

For those taking on the 55 miles, this was a single loop on trails in East Sussex taking on the famous Seven Sisters, some of the South Downs Way, and Mount Caburn. A big well done to Paul Russhard (8:52:06), Ryder King (9:02:56), and Elliot Robbie (9:31:54) - the men’s podium; and to Kate Bennett (10:17:24), Helen Newman (10:31:01), and Magda Trojan (10:35:14) - the women’s top three.

And well done also to the 50k runners, where Abbie Bulbulian (4:48:49) and Simon Withers (4:01:33) took the wins. 

Andrea and Josh, winners of the 100-miler © UK Ultra Ltd

Winter running, in particular ultra distances, can be so challenging as you navigate not just the tough conditions, but often also the route-finding itself (even on marked courses, the fog and rain or snow can make it tricky to find your way). Not to mention the very little daylight… All great reasons to recognise the trail warriors from these events - huge congratulations!

Alecsa Stewart