UKC

Good luck to everyone across all the races!

https://live.opentracking.co.uk/sspine2025/

Weather doesn't look too bad. A bit of drizzle in Edale at the moment but not enough to dampen the spirits.

Finally, thanks again to those who wished me luck in the winter thread. I'm no. 263 in the full Spine and will likely be near the back should anyone be dot watching...

I'm keeping an eye on John Kelly's dot but that's a bit of a slow burner! 263 will go into my Spine dot-watching portfolio. Very best of luck!

It is indeed, but checking in on JK will hopefully take my mind off any tricky bits this week.

Anyway, thanks for checking in on me. I'll think of you as I pass the wall and Chew Green 😉

A busy week for me. A mates gf is doing well in the South at the moment. A mate is in the North. An acquaintance, the lady who makes Geeky Hiker chest pods, is in the Full.

Edit to add, a club mate is doing the South as well.

Best of luck, will keep an eye on your dot!

That drizzle’s probably a blessing, keeps it cool without turning the trail into soup (yet). Will be keeping an eye on dot 263. Full Spine is no joke—respect for toeing the line.

Anna Troup in the overall lead!!!!!!!!!

Hadn't spotted that - I've been focused on More-On's dot!

Anna Troup's also way ahead of her own course record. I need to keep an eye on head and tail of the course!

She's now some way behind her record time, but it is still a remarkable effort. In addition, there are three women in the top five! 

She's caught up with herself now. Virtual Anna must have had a long rest at one of the Cheviot huts.

I was there to cheer Anna over the line around 9 o'clock tonight (Wednesday)

263 still going I see, well done!!!

Yep, traversing Hadrian's Wall atm!

Keep going, More-On!

Looks like 263 More-On's had to retire from the Spine just before Bellingham. Very sad, but hopefully you're ok? An amazing effort regardless.

Hope you were able to appreciate something of the Wall today!

Oh no!!!

Great effort More-On, very well done!

Many thanks Kate. Happy to report no major trauma!

Sadly failing feet from day one meant I was reduced to walking large parts of the runnable terrain, which meant when I had to push on (ie walk quicker!) to get to Bellingham by the 6pm cut off it was too much in the heat. The same issue with my feet appeared in the Northern Traverse in April so I clearly need to seek a solution rather than assume it's a one-off.

Had a fantastic week with the Spine family and was well looked after with good food.

Most importantly I did make time to enjoy the wall, especially milecastle 39 where my childhood fascination with archaeology progressed to fieldwork with the National Trust in the early 80s, which laid the groundwork for my career in the commercial sector.

Thanks again for the support 

Many thanks to you, too, Lizzie - much appreciated!