As you will know by now, I am a sucker for taking photographs during my races. One thing is for sure, if the race is going well and I’m in high spirits there will be plenty of photos, if its not then there will be none. On that basis, as I look through my photos after a race it’s very obvious where the highs and lows occurred. Based upon the gaps in my photos from The Montane Spine Challenger, this race was no exception.

As I briefly outlined in my initial thoughts after the race, this was a difficult race for me both mentally and physically. Not exactly the textbook example of race prep and execution that’s for sure! That combined with the fact that two thirds of the race was run in the dark, means that unfortunately I’m a little lacking on the photo front for this race I’m afraid.

Fortunately my crew for the race, John Figiel, made up for this by getting plenty of shots whenever he saw me. The following photo diary is therefore a combination of our efforts, and hopefully gives you a little flavour of how the race unfolded and the experiences we had over the weekend.

Stay tuned for my full blow by blow race report, which should land in the next week or so.

The 2017 Montane Spine Challenger
Arriving in The Peak District the day before the race
The start of the Pennine Way in Edale, Peak District
The start of the Pennine Way in Edale, Peak District
The Monte Spine Race #britainsmostbrutal
Giles watching Lindley deliver the race brief, desperately trying (and failing) to get into a racing mindset. Photo courtesy of John Figiel
Sunset over Edale, next stop Race Day!
Race kit packed and ready to go!
Keeping warm before the start of The Spine Challenger. Do I have to go? Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Athletes gather at the start of the 2017 Spine Challenger. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Climbing towards Jacobs Ladder
Managing a smile on the climb up Jacobs Ladder, Edale
Heading over Kinder Scout, towards Kinder Downfall on the 2017 Spine Challenger
Climbing over Kinder Scout, towards Kinder Downfall on the 2017 Spine Challenger
At the summit of Mill Hill and heading onto Snakes Pass and Bleaklow
Skies finally clearing approaching Snakes Pass
Friendly faces (and coffee) from the Mountain Rescue Team at Snakes Pass
Heading up into the cloud and onto Bleaklow
The sun trying to burn the cloud off over Bleaklow
Heading up into the cloud and onto Bleaklow
Heading up into the cloud and onto Bleaklow
Descending towards Torside Resevoir, Crowden and the first meet-up with John. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Stocks replenished and heading across Torside Reservoir and the climb towards Black Hill. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Looking back towards Bleakhow across Torside Resevoir. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Looking back towards Crowden and Bleakhow on the ascent to Black Hill
Back into the snow on the ascent to Black Hill
Looking back towards Crowden and Bleakhow on the ascent to Black Hill
Looking back towards Crowden and Bleakhow on the ascent to Black Hill
Looking back towards Crowden and Bleakhow on the ascent to Black Hill
Arriving at Wessenden Head and feeling pretty good. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Quick change of batteries at Wessenden Head. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Crossing Black Moss with the light fading fast
Descent to Brun Moor with the lights of Greater Manchester below
Some warm food and a catch-up on text messages in the van before pushing on across the M62. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
The lights of Greater Manchester. Company so near but so far!
The fields and fields and fields of mud!
Arriving into Lothersdale looking forward to The Spine Special! Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Friendly faces as Andy and Rachel make a surprise appearance at Gargrave. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Quick kit check and refuel at Gargrave before heading on and into our second night. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Last light in the fields around Gargrave
Welcome sign heading around Malham Tarn and towards checkpoint 1.5
Arriving in Horton in Ribblesdale after a quick blast over Pen-y-ghent in the dark. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Pre-dawn full english in Pen-y-ghent Cafe. Something we’d promised ourselves 12 hours before! Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Homeward stretch and the long climb toward Cam High Road.
The climb to Cam High Road goes on and on!
Finally on the Cam High Road but still going up! Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Finally on the Cam High Road but still going up! Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Finally on the Cam High Road but still going up! Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Finally on the Cam High Road but still going up! Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Finally on the Cam High Road but still going up. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Finally on the Cam High Road but still going up! Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Tarmac at last, we must almost be at the end of the Cam High Road … surely!!??
Giles and Ricky smiling but wishing the Cam High Road was over! Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Giles smiling but wishing the Cam High Road was over! Photo courtesy of John Figiel
Finally the end of the Cam High Road. Its downhill (ish) to Hawes from here! Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Giles and Ricky approaching the finish line of the Spine Challenger in Hawes. Can’t believe we made it! Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Giles and Ricky approaching the finish line of the Spine Challenger in Hawes. Can’t believe we made it! Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Finished, thank god! #britainsmostbrutal Photo courtesy of John Figiel
Happy and relieved Giles at the finish of The Spine Challenger. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Happy and relieved Giles at the finish of The Spine Challenger. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Giles and Ricky at the finish of The Spine Challenger. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
Giles receiving his finishers medal at the end of the Spine Challenger. Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
It wasn’t pretty or well executed but I actually did it! #spinechallenger #britainsmostbrutal Photo courtesy of John Figiel.
It wasn’t pretty or well executed but I actually did it! #spinechallenger #britainsmostbrutal