In headline news, South African Tiaan Erwee smashed the course record for the full Summer Spine race, finishing in a time of 70:46:50, just under seven hours faster than previous record-holder Eoin Keith (IRL), who set a time of 77:34:52 in 2021.
For the women’s race, Anna Troup (GBR) also put in a record performance which saw her break the women’s course record, finishing in a time of 78:57:49, bettering her second-place achievement in 2021.
The event also saw an additional three records broken with Tim Pigott slashing 45 minutes off the course record for the Summer Spine Challenger men’s race and Lauren Johnson taking more than an hour off the previous fastest time over on the women’s race, both breaking records that had stood since 2017. In the Summer Spine Sprint, Hannah Slater broke the course record for the women’s race, finishing in a time of 09:33:31, over an hour ahead of her nearest competitor.
Men’s race winner Tiaan Erwee, commented: “I did witness phenomena on the run. I saw paving stones that were dry, which is a very uncommon sighting on the Pennine Way! It was great fun.” Anna Troup, women’s race winner said; “It was so hot compared to last time, at times I just couldn’t run, so I didn’t stop for sleep. It was the only way to make sure I beat the boys!”
Montane’s Global Marketing Manager, Matthew Hickman, commented: “The Montane Summer Spine race is a gruelling event which pushes participants to their very limit, so it is hugely impressive to see some of the performances recorded by entrants this year across all race formats. Montane is renowned for its philosophy of pushing yourself to go Further. Faster. to break new boundaries, and that is exactly what we have witnessed this year by some amazing athletes in what is a standout year for the race.”
The Montane Summer Spine is a 268-mile, 156hr (6.5 days) non-stop race from Edale to Kirk Yetholm, which sees participants navigate the Pennine Way on a series of varying race options, battling adverse and often extreme weather conditions, sleep deprivation, and challenging terrain.
Montane has been providing innovative, lightweight, and breathable clothing and equipment for over 25 years, specifically designed for endurance sports and activities in some of the world’s harshest and most extreme environments. Alongside the Spine Race, Montane also sponsors races such as the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra (MLAU) and Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra (MYAU), the Montane Dragon’s Back Race, and the Montane Cheviot Goat Winter Ultra, amongst others.