What It Takes to Finish a 268-Mile Race in Winter!
Imagine running for days on end, through wind, rain, snow, and freezing temperatures.
Imagine pushing your body past exhaustion, navigating through the dark with only a headtorch and the distant promise of shelter. For some, this sounds like madness. For others, it’s the Spine Race—a 268-mile ultra-endurance challenge along the Pennine Way, known as one of the toughest footraces in the world.
One of our very own recently completed this legendary race, and in this conversation, they share what it takes to survive (and thrive) in such an extreme event. Whether you’re an ultra-running veteran who knows the agony of sleep deprivation or someone who’s simply intrigued by the limits of human endurance, this story offers a rare glimpse into the mind and body of someone who dared to go the distance.
The interview has been summarised to make it easier to read but I didn’t want to mess around too much with the edit. I wanted to stay true to the relaxed nature of the conversation.
I hope you enjoy it!
The Conversation:
(00:00:03): Sweet!
(00:00:05): Hello, both.
(00:00:06): Thanks very much for taking the time late on a Wednesday evening to chat about something pretty inspirational.
(00:00:13): Obviously, we have a guest here who recently completed the Spine Race.
(00:00:18): It’s an absolute privilege to dive in and talk about the experience of the race and everything that came out of it.
(00:00:28): So, by means of a quick introduction, could you talk us through what got you to the start line? What’s your background in ultra running, and what was the motivation for this race?
(00:00:43): Sure. That’s a really good question to kick off with.
(00:00:49): My background in ultra running is somewhat patchy, but I’ve been doing it for around 15 years. Started small with 50Ks, then a few 100Ks.
(00:01:06): I’ve never been a prolific racer—I don’t put lots of races in the calendar—but I usually take on something big each year.
(00:01:18): Some of my favourite experiences have been the Bob Graham Round, UTMB, and a few other notable races. One standout year was 2018, when I podiumed three races. That was never to be repeated again!
(00:01:43): That said, I don’t consider myself a fast runner. I can go long, but speed isn’t my strength.
(00:02:23): Over the years, I’ve always sought out something that challenges me in a new way. The Spine Race has been on my radar for a long time—I’ve been following it ever since it started. Even when I didn’t know anyone running it, I’d track it like an unfolding story throughout the week.
(00:03:09): Eventually, after years of following, I decided it was time. The opportunity came up, and I took it. I think, in a way, you’re never really ready for something like this—it requires a leap of faith.
(00:05:33): There’s a moment where you just have to commit. You prepare the best you can, but the unknowns are always there. You build your confidence over time, tackling bigger and bigger challenges, but something like this? It’s never guaranteed.
(00:06:38): The conditions are unpredictable. Some years are bitterly cold but fast. Other years, it’s a slog through rain and bogs. This year, we had a mix—rain, heavy winds, and drifted snow.
(00:07:27): So, you take the leap and trust that your preparation will get you through.
(00:08:34): I tried to prepare as much as possible—running in similar conditions, testing my gear, simulating sleep deprivation. But nothing can truly prepare you for the reality of the third day, when your feet are covered in blisters, you’re exhausted, and every step is a battle.
(00:10:05): One of the most surprising things was seeing the people around me. If you passed them on the street, you might not think they’d be capable of this, yet mentally, some of them were far stronger than me. It’s a race of endurance, but it’s even more a test of resilience.
(00:11:06): Training was tricky. I had chronic sciatica for most of the summer, which meant I couldn’t run. I only got back out in November, with just eight weeks until the race. That wasn’t ideal.
(00:12:00): I had to be realistic about what I could fit in. Every weekend, I did long runs—often setting off at 1 AM to simulate race conditions. Every session was a race simulation: full kit, pre-packed food, and a meticulous log of calories, water, and energy levels.
(00:14:06): During the week, I supplemented with sessions on the elliptical trainer and some strength work.
(00:16:00): The race itself was a mix of highs and lows. The first day was euphoric—blue skies, fresh snow, great conditions. I actually got some running in.
(00:17:37): The second section, though, was brutal. Knee-deep slush, freezing cold, exhaustion creeping in. At one point, I was seeing stars, my body shutting down. I was ready to quit. If I had been alone, I might have. But a friend pushed me forward, and I made it through that low point.
(00:19:50): After that, it was just one foot in front of the other.
(00:22:02): The real trick is mindset. You have to trick yourself—pretend that two hours of sleep is enough, that you’re starting a new day when really it’s just a continuation of the same day.
(00:33:47): In the end, it was a privilege to do this race. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity, knowing that it’s a huge investment of time, money, and support from others. More than anything, this was about testing myself, confronting my own limits, and seeing what I was capable of. For that, I am incredibly grateful.
Editor’s Reflection:
The Spine Race is not just about running—it’s about resilience. It’s about finding a way forward when the mind and body scream to stop. It’s about surrendering to the elements, trusting in preparation, and embracing the unknown.
One of the most striking moments in this conversation, to me at least, was the realisation that speed is not what defines endurance athletes—resilience does. Many of the runners didn’t necessarily look like endurance athletes in the traditional sense, yet they had an undeniable spirit, an ability to push forward when everything hurt, to find clarity in exhaustion, and to laugh at the absurdity of it all.
What’s your version of a Spine Race? What challenge would take you beyond what you thought possible? Here’s some space on the page to take a moment to visualise what you’d write down.
Hit reply and share your thoughts—I’d love to hear about it!
And if anyone has any specific questions they’d like me to ask I’d be happy to pass on those questions!
Who knows, if there are enough questions we can try and get a follow-up interview to go through more of the practical specifics of getting through a race like the Spine.
Keep Walking, Keep Listening, Keep Opening Doors
David Venus (Team Welfare Officer)
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