Intrepid BSARU Trio crack The Spine.

Early in January each year, just after the decorations have been lugged back into the attic and the last of the mince pies have been dispatched, the cream of the ultra-distance running community congregates in the north of England for the annual Spine Race. BSARU has been deeply involved with the race since its inception about 15 years ago, with a number of rescues gaining nationwide press coverage and a hardy clutch of team members competing in the event.

This year’s intrepid cohort, Duncan Buchanan, Ian Stark and Damon Rodwell all tackled the 160-mile race from Hardraw in North Yorkshire to Kirk Yetholm. It’s a continuous race (the clock never stops) with checkpoints spaced at roughly 40-mile intervals along the Pennine Way - the backbone of England (hence the race’s name). Running through remote mountain country in the depth of winter with only a brief window of daylight and around 18 hours of dark each day is a serious undertaking, and all three needed to draw deeply on reserves of endurance, will and experience to get through. The length of the race and the severity of the weather and terrain guarantee that all competitors will, at some point, have to deal with some kind of crisis of mind or body, and probably both. Sleep deprivation makes navigation in the latter stages a real challenge, and causes hallucinations in a high percentage of runners.

Pretty awful weather combined with horrendous underfoot conditions, as challenging as any in the race’s 15-year history, made it a very serious test of resilience and resolve. Ian was first of the trio home after a superb performance in 71 hrs 45 mins, 15 minutes under his 3 days target. Just over four hours behind was Damon, overcoming some dreadful foot trouble out on the course to storm through the last 20 miles through the Cheviots, missing last orders at the Border Hotel in Kirk Yetholm by just nine minutes. Duncan rolled in after 80 hours, as unfazed and unflappable as always. Rock-solid Duncan has never failed to finish the Spine Race, with eight completions to his name, making him one of the most successful athletes in the history of the event.

Two days later the team was called out to rescue an injured English runner competing in the same race. She had sustained a lower leg injury on icy ground close to the start and had pushed on for three days and well over 100 miles before being unable to continue. Aided by a neighbouring team from Northumberland, and Cocklawfoot farmer Rob Flintoff, BSARU brought her down from the border ridge to a waiting team vehicle and reunited with her husband in Kirk Yetholm.

As always, you can donate to the team and support our essential work from this website.