Chris Cope wins the 268-mile Summer Spine Race – and “looks like he just came to a parkrun” | Trail Running News

Chris Cope defied treacherous weather and difficult conditions to emerge as the clear winner of the Montane Summer Spine Race.

Cope has been riding alone from the start of the epic 268-mile ultramarathon, which covers the entire Pennine Way from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm on the English-Scottish border.

“As if he had just come to a parkrun”

One of the pre-race favourites, Jon Shield, had kept him company for the first few hours after the start of the race on Sunday, but by the time he retired, Cope had a clear lead.

And he was able to extend that pace despite the weather, with the ground soaked for much of the race.

In fact, Cope seemed to have accepted this when he said on the second day: “The mud is terrible. You slide around everywhere, it’s incredibly hard. Everything hurts, but that’s part of the course and I enjoy it.”

Poor visibility and low clouds had created further navigational challenges overnight, but Cope took it in his stride.

But by the time he reached Hut 2, just a few miles from the finish, the sun had come out and the safety team there said of Cope: “After a quick coffee he was off. ‘Just 8 miles and a pub.’ He looked like he’d just come to a parkrun!”

Kinnegim leads the women’s race

Cope reached the finish line on Wednesday afternoon in glorious isolation and with a lead of about 12 hours over his nearest rival.

He stopped the clock at 79:10:14 – Tiaan Erwee’s course record (in much better conditions) is 70:46:50.

His British compatriots Jacob Hayes and John Boothman are currently in second and third place.

In the women’s race, Dutchwoman Irene Kinnegim leads by a large margin with Rachel Price and Sue Straw in second and third place.

Horne and Hopkinson, the heroes of Challenger North

Meanwhile, Joe Horne took victory in the 160-mile Montane Summer Spine Challenger North with a time of 44:52:01.

Joe was in the lead from the start and was able to extend his lead through fast pace on the course and efficient use of the checkpoints.

Behind him, Sam Harrison finished in second place with a time of 46:27:33, even though this was his first race over 100 miles.

Emma Hopkinson completed the podium, finishing third overall and first among the women with a time of 50:24:02.

Horne said: “That was tough. What a race. This one is tougher on the feet and legs and you have soaked feet for 40 hours.”

Results of the Montane Summer Spine Race, started on Sunday 16 June 2024, 268 miles

MEN:

1. Chris Cope (GBR) – 79:10:14
2. still to be confirmed
3. still to be confirmed

WOMEN:

1. still to be confirmed
2. still to be confirmed
3. still to be confirmed

Results of the Montane Summer Spine Challenger North, started on Sunday 16 June 2024, 160 miles

MEN:

1. Joe Horne (GBR) – 44:52:01
2. Sam Harrison (GBR) – 46:27:33
3. George Lancaster (GBR) – 54:45:09

WOMEN:

1. Emma Hopkinson (GBR) – 50:24:02 *third overall
2. still to be confirmed
3. still to be confirmed