BL member John Ferris-Worth completed the Montane Spine Challenger North Race early on Friday morning in Kirk Yetholm, having started nearly four days earlier in Hawes. It’s a distance of 160 miles with 5300m of ascent, along the Pennine Way, and John took 91 hours finishing 56th of the 115 starters. He’s now safely back home doing a lot of eating and sleeping. He’ll give the Penrith Beacon event a miss, but no doubt he’ll be back in orienteering action soon.
When the race started the ground was a mixture of deep snow and treacherously icy paths making for very slow, strength-sapping going. Then, as the thaw set in, mud became a big issue. And, of course there are only 8 hours of daylight at this time of the year meaning the majority of the time it’s dark.
As well as the Spine North Race, there is also a Full Spine (268 miles), a Spine South (108 miles) and a Spine ‘Sprint’ (46 miles). Summer and Arctic versions are also available. But be warned, should you feel the urge to enter, getting a place is as hard as getting Glastonbury tickets.
Border Liners Orienteering Club 