INOV8 ATHLETE JACK SCOTT SMASHES 268-MILE SPINE RACE RECORD

History was made at the 2024 Spine Race with winner Jack Scott smashing the course record by over 10 hours.

The INOV8 athlete completed the 268-mile winter race, widely regarded as one of the toughest endurance events in the world, in an astonishing time of 72 hours 55 minutes.

The 29-year-old ultra runner crushed the previous record of 83 hours 12 minutes, famously set by Jasmin Paris in 2019. INOV8 team-mate Damian Hall, last year’s winner, finished second in 82 hours 25 minutes, also going under the old record time. Our third athlete in the race, Nicky Spinks, finished joint-fourth woman in 111 hours 40 minutes.

Jack, who slept for less than an hour throughout the entire race, said: “This race meant everything to me, it was all I was focused on. I had a once-in-a-lifetime type of run and I’m so happy.

“I just felt like I had another gear almost the whole race, apart from the bit near Malham Tarn (80 miles in) when I felt bad due to the fast early pace and almost dropped out. After that, I slowed the pace, recharged, then pushed again when I felt better, chasing down those in front.

“Once I was on my own in front I just kept going. I was running scared, not knowing what was happening behind me. I hallucinated other runners catching me up. So scared of being caught, I made myself run as much as possible and took only small rests.

“I remember sleeping for 30 minutes a bit earlier in the race at the checkpoint in Langdon, then later beside Hadrian’s Wall when I asked a member of the public to watch over me and wake me up after four minutes. I then had 10 minutes sleep sitting against a fence on the final section over the Cheviot Hills when I set my alarm to wake me up.

“I just wanted to win the race. That was the goal. The record is fantastic, I’m not sure I can quite believe it.”

Former record-holder Jasmin added: “Jack’s run was incredible, he really nailed it in every way. The ground was hard which I think will have helped, but he also ran really fast and hardly slept. He was super-consistent the whole way, which is unbelievable given how little sleep he took. Huge congratulations to Jack.”

The race, dubbed ‘Britain’s Most Brutal,’ started in Edale, Derbyshire, on Sunday morning amid good conditions. Following the Pennine Way, Britain’s oldest National Trail complete with 37,000ft of wild mountainous ascent, Jack was never far from the front as a stellar field of contenders enjoyed clear visibility and firm ground.

His big move came on the section between Dufton and Alston where the race crosses its highest point, Cross Fell at 893m. Leaving behind INOV8 team-mate and last year’s winner Damian Hall, Jack arrived in Alston alone with 175 miles of the course completed.

With the weather deteriorating, he then pushed on solo, battling flurries of heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, for a further 93 miles all the way to the finish at Kirk Yetholm and a place in the history books.

It was a sweet victory for Jack, who was runner-up to his friend and rival Damian 12 months earlier following a ding-dong battle on the same course.

Jack said: “I didn’t have a race plan, but the pace was fast from the off. There was a big group and for the first 80 miles or so I think we were averaging 12-minute miles with packs on. It was very fast for the Spine Race. I think that’s why I felt so bad and decided to ease off and let others go ahead.

“The section from Dufton to Alston over Cross Fell was horrendous. It was windy, snowing and the ground was like glass. Me and Damian were together in front, ahead of James Nobles. I knew it was going to be a big part of the race. Damian stopped for a bit, I think to put his spikes on over his shoes, and I pushed on. I went for it on my own. I took a risk, but I wanted to get a gap.

“After Alston I pushed on again, I felt good. Once clear again I was basically running scared. I didn’t know where Damian was or how far he was behind me. I didn’t turn my phone on or look at the live tracking map. I didn’t trust what people were telling me, I just decided to run scared. I was hallucinating at times, thinking I could see him. I was just so desperate to stay ahead, I didn’t let up.”

Damian added: “When you win a race one year, return the next, and go faster, you hope you’ll win. Not this time. To run the second fastest time in race history, you’d usually be really pleased, but I feel soundly beaten because that was an astonishing performance by Jack.

“I really believe that is one of the great performances in British ultra running history. To win like that and beat Jasmin’s record by so much, is incredible.

“Jack got away on Cross Fell where it was really slippery, and I chose to chill. I couldn’t catch him again. Hats off to Jack, he well and truly got me back for last year.”

Staffordshire-based Jack first began running in his early 20s, using it to help him overcome a gambling addiction that was previously controlling his life. Now five years clean, his results at ultramarathon races have elevated his status, as has his work to promote GAMSTOP, a platform that allows people to self-exclude themselves from online gambling.

Prior to this win, his two previous results at the Spine Race were a DNF in 2020 and that second-place finish in 2023.

Jack works part-time in construction, reinforcing buildings and infrastructure with steel in the foundations. He is also a running coach.

He added: “I don’t run huge mileage. Last year I averaged 42 miles a week and did a lot of gym work, which really helped. I run to enjoy, running distances and routes I enjoy.

“I was actually injured through much of December with various issues, but as race day got close, I felt better and better. On the start line I felt great and just thought f*** it, let’s do this.

“The only downside, I guess, was that my family and friends didn’t make it to the finish in time! They arrived 25 minutes after I’d finished. It was great to see them though.”

An INOV8 athlete for four years, Jack has recorded many impressive ultramarathon race results and broken several records in long-distance running challenges, but this latest win is his best yet.

Jack wore one pair of his trusty TRAILFLY G 270 V2 running shoes throughout the whole race. He changed his socks five times and pulled spikes on over his shoes during the final section of the Cheviot Hills. Jack said: “The shoes are so versatile and ticked all the boxes. Trusty grip over 268 frozen miles and a soft foam that protected my limbs. I went up half a size to allow for a warmer, thicker sock.”

For ultrarunning legend Nicky Spinks it was a first-time at The Spine Race. The 57-year-old teamed up with fellow runner Elaine Bisson after the checkpoint at Alston and the pair ran together, finishing side-by-side in Kirk Yetholm. Nicky has achieved an incredible amount in her running career, and now she can proudly add Spine Race finisher to the list.

The women’s race was won by Clare Bannwarth in 92 hours 02 minutes, ahead of Hannah Rickman and Lucy Gossage.

*Read our pre-race Q&As with INOV8 athletes Jack, Damian and Nicky Spinks.

Photo by Jamie Rutherford @jmruther4d for Spine Race 

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