Ex-Women’s Running sub editor and inov-8 athlete Damian Hall has won the Montane Winter Spine Race 2023 in 84 hrs 36mins 24seconds after an epic battle with fellow runner Jack Scott. It was down to the wire as the two were neck and neck over the final stretches, even crossing the finish line together – but Hall took the win and a new male course record after Scott picked up a 48-minute time penalty following a navigation error.
The first female finisher was French runner Claire Bannwarth in an amazing 97:39:58.
It was an incredible performance from both Hall and Scott, battling the 268-mile race amid extreme weather conditions and tricky terrain to finish 20 miles ahead of the next competitor. But a win for Damian seems well deserved, following disappointment last year as he had to withdraw due to a groin injury.
Ultra fans were expecting the face off to be between Hall and Kim Collinson, who also had to withdraw from last year’s race inn the middle of a fierce battle for first place. Sadly, record-breaking ultra runner Collinson had to pull out at Tan Hill, and Jack Scott stepped up to challenge Damian’s lead.
After an emotional finish, it was great to see Damian – a keen environmentalist and climate activist – break the male course record. The overall course…
