SOME of the world’s top ultra-athletes passed through the dale last week as part of the 268-mile Spine Race.
The challenge sees scores of athletes cross the length of the Pennine Way, starting at the Vale of Edale, in the Peak District, and ending at the Scottish Borders. It is widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest endurance races where runners get little sleep and battle the worst of the winter weather in the Pennines. True to form, they trudged through Teesdale in torrential rain and strong winds. First into the dale was American athlete John Kelly, who arrived at Middleton-in-Teesdale late on Monday, January 13. A spokesperson for the event said: “We knew last night, that the leaderboard would depend on how much sleep the runners took. Leader, John Kelly reached Middleton at 11.30pm and left five hours later at 4.17am. Eoin Keith arrived at 12.01am and chose to bank less downtime, leaving at 3.45am, before John Kelly.”
Despite the earlier start, Kelly had caught up with the Irishman before they left Teesdale via High Cup Nick, towards Dufton. Keith had been reduced to third after being overtaken by Spaniard Eugeni Rosello Sole.
British athlete Jayson Cavill maintained fourth position while in the dale followed by Swiss runner Simon Gfeller.
Dutchman Wouter Huitzing, who won the race and set a course record in 2018, passed through Forest-in-Teesdale at about noon on the Tuesday. First woman to pass through Teesdale was British athlete Sabina Verjee who passed through about 40 minutes ahead of Huitzing.
