The Spine/Spine Challenger Races 2018

10 watchers

lake Nov 2017 5:03pm, 28 Nov 2017 4 posts	0 lake To be honest Chris, I think I've read every race report available, and have come to that exact conclusion. I think I read somewhere to consider it an "expedition ultra" where the aim is to complete whilst remaining in one piece (both mentally and physically). My kit is mainly sorted, and I'm spending unpleasant hours overnight going up and down Folkestone cliff edge (narrow, steep rough trail) with my full-weight pack to get some kind of ascent into my legs. It's all pretty rubbish though... To those saying "the spine is so far out of my league I could never even consider it......" that's exactly where I was 5 years ago. uh oh.
ChrisThePuma Jan 2018 2:27pm, 3 Jan 2018 4,080 posts	0 ChrisThePuma Less than 2 weeks to go........
swittle Jan 2018 2:29pm, 3 Jan 2018 46,815 posts	0 swittle send note to mouse re additional tracking duties
SimonF Jan 2018 1:39pm, 8 Jan 2018 65 posts	0 SimonF This year's Spine looks to have by far the strongest field ever. Previous winners Pavel, Eugenie, Eoin Keith and Tom Hollins all return, but are joined by Jim Mann, (holder of all the Winter round records, 2 of them set during a mad 4 weeks early last year) and also the winner of the 2016 Tor des Geants, Oliviero Bosatelli (also 2nd this year), and Pablo Criado Toca who was 3rd behind Oliviero in 2016. It will be really interesting to see how they adapt to the Pennine Way in winter. On the women's side, there are also two Tor des Geants veterans coming to challenge last year's winner, Carol Morgan. Harriet Kjaer was 11th in the Alpine race in 2017 and Daphne Derouch was 14th. I can't wait to spend a week or so sitting in front of a computer watching this pan out!
Velociraptor Jan 2018 1:51pm, 8 Jan 2018 37,513 posts	0 Velociraptor Phenomenal field! This bonkers event has carved out its place in the Bonkers Events Calendar.
flyingfinn Jan 2018 2:35pm, 8 Jan 2018 855 posts	0 flyingfinn If the ground stays frozen can the winner of the Challenger finish before the full race starts? One or two folk in the field who maybe capable (though one seems to have picked up a bug this weekend) and if a head to head develops then sub 24 has to be possible.
ChrisThePuma Jan 2018 3:31pm, 8 Jan 2018 4,081 posts	0 ChrisThePuma I will be bringing up the rear of the Spine - race number 232 for the dot watchers
SimonF Jan 2018 9:28am, 9 Jan 2018 66 posts	0 SimonF FF - I'd like to have been there to see the Challenger winner finish, but, as you've said, all being well I will still be in Edale waiting for Chris to start (amongst others ;).
SimonF Jan 2018 9:31am, 9 Jan 2018 67 posts	0 SimonF BTW - also seen the winner of the 2017 Eufòria dels Cims (Julian Morcillo) is on the Spine start line. It really is a classy field this year.