Joe Horne wins the Montane Summer Spine Challenger North
Early race leader Joe Horne claims first place at the Montane Summer Spine Challenger North while low visibility plagues the main event and the Montane Summer Spine MRT Challenger North.
Poor visibility, low-hanging cloud, and cooler temperatures created navigational challenges overnight for runners of the three races remaining in the event; The Montane Summer Spine, The Montane Summer Spine Challenger North, and The Montane Summer Spine MRT Challenger North, with Joe Horne coming in on the 19th June to claim victory at The Montane Summer Spine Challenger North with a time of 44:52:01.
Leading from the early stages, Joe was able to stretch his lead with a rapid pace on the route and efficient use of checkpoints. Following behind, Sam Harrison who held a strong second position from the start, came in second place with a time of 46:27:33 despite this being his first race over 100-miles. Rounding off the podium was Emma Hopkinson, placing third overall and first women with a time of 50:24:02.
The Montane Summer Spine Challenger North 2024 winner, Joe Horne said: “That was hard. What an event. This one is more difficult on your feet and legs and you have sodden feet for 40 hours. It was so far but there were so many cool people on the race.”
Tom Adams, a member of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue team, navigated a series of waterlogged fields to claim first place at the Montane Summer Spine MRT Challenger North as athletes of the full event head into their third day.
At the Montane Summer Spine main event, runners continue to make their way across the 268 mile course as Chris Cope remains the race leader just behind Anna Troop’s course record, followed behind by Jacob Hayes. Irene Kinnegim maintains her position as the leading women adopting a good pace through the route across the Pennine Way.
Follow along and get race updates via The Montane Spine Facebook, Instagram, x, and YouTube. More information can be found here.
