With another epic Winter Spine Race completed we are taking a look back at an amazing week of racing in tough conditions.
The SCARPA team put in a herculean effort across the Spine Race, Sprint and Challenger with some amazing running and a few podiums in the mix!
Starting with the full Spine Race - which featured Robyn Cassidy and Dougie Zinis.
Robyn ran an amazing race - leading from the early stages - she was caught by eventual winner Lucy Gossage and ended up finishing 2nd.
With some amazing physical and mental strength Robyn finished in 94:31:43 in second place! What an amazing result!
Here are Robyn's thoughts looking back on the race:
"Over the last few days, I've reflected on the race, it's brought me so much, I have met some amazing women, got out on the trails with Si, made some lifelong memories and learnt so much about myself.
These challenges are so special and teach you so much and I'm grateful for the hard work of race companies for giving us these opportunities to test out our boundaries. I have such a mix of emotions about this one, I did get to the end, I touched the wall, but the spine had definitely won the mental battle. "
Now a Spine Race veteran - Dougie Zinis also ran an amazing race - finishing his 5th Spine race in 100 hours in 10th place overall!
Here are Dougie's reflections on the race:
"The Spine race 2025...top 10 in a nice round 100 hours, not my finest completion but my 4th full Spine with no DNFs. Never seemed to get going and always a problem, but that's what this race is all about,
Its how you deal with these problems that makes or breaks your race. If you let these moments consume you they will burn your mind out and give you all the reason you need to quit, but I don't quit even if I'm suffering. Had fun in the pain cave this year, moments of wondering who I was and if the Spine was a project my kids were doing at school !!"
The Spine Sprint was a new challenge for Tom Hollins who has podiumed on all of the other Winter Spine races - so he went in to the Race with the podium in his sights.
After a great race Tom finished in joint second - achieving his aim to podium!
Over on the Spin Challenger South (a shorter race covering the Southern section of the route) - James Nobles took on the 110 miles to Hawes wit his Dad (Tractor boy to those following along on social media!).
James and his dad crossed the line in 48hrs 54mins in some really tough winter conditions after an amazing adventure.
Here are James' thoughts post race:
"What can we say, the Spine Challenger South was one hell of an epic adventure. Dad and I set off on Saturday with 110 miles between us and Hawes. For Dad in particular, this was stepping truly into the unknown.
What unfolded over the next 48hrs54mins was unforgettable. We had proper winter conditions from almost start to finish. Snow holes for miles on end (big thanks to those creating them further up the pack).
Dad got the full ultra experience; hallucinations, trail naps, camaraderie, food fatigue, and a proper tough challenge all round, and I loved being able to capture some of this on camera."
Over on the Spin Challenger North Jon Shield had a disappointing race - having to pull out early in the race after a fall.
"Heavy untouched heavy snow was a massive problem guessing if I was going to fall into a stream of the bigs lurking under the snow. It turned out I was great at finding both along with numerous other racers. The plan wasn't to be a snow plough for others but it turned out that was with a small group of us working together. It was sapping work.
Unfortunately one of my falls in the snow caused a minor niggle early on in the race which progressed over Cross Fell and particularly on the decent slipping in the ice, the finisher being the endless stiles leading into checkpoint 2. That was time to call my race as I new I wouldn’t be able to run with the group I’d run in there with and I have the Full Arctic Spine to think about just a few weeks off now."
