AN ISLANDER was among the first few competitors to cross the line in one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons last week.
Tim McBain took just over 96 hours to complete the Montane Summer Spine Race 2025.
Advertised as Britain’s “most brutal race”, the 268 mile ultramarathon along the Pennine Way saw runners make their way from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders.
Mr McBain, who is no stranger to endurance races, placed 3rd among the male competitors and 5th overall.
Speaking to the JEP shortly after crossing the line, he said that he was “really pleased” with the result.
“I just wanted to finish,” he said.
Reflecting on the race, he added: “You kind of lose track of which day it is or where it is.
“It’s a bit weird because you arrive at the different aid stations, which are like campsites, at different times – so it could be one o’clock in the morning or three in the afternoon.”
He continued: “I prefer this format, because it’s all about how quickly you recover and I seem to recover quite quickly.
“I can have some food, have a sleep, get up, pack all my gear away – you need to be quite organised with getting your gear all sorted out quickly – have some more food and then just go.
“The race is not just a race, it’s about being on top of your admin, sorting yourself out and being self-sufficient.”
In a post on their Facebook page, Montane Spine Race organisers said: “This is such an incredible achievement for Tim, who struggled on the last hill just after Hut Two.
“Throughout his race, he was supported by family — particularly at the Middleton checkpoint (Low Way Farm) — and by friends who were there to cheer him on as he battled sleep deprivation and changing weather conditions.”
