Valley’s Zinis rises to the ultra challenge of Spine
Following the exceptional runs by Calder Valley Fell Runners’ members Paul Haigh, Oliver Beaumont and Paul Taylor in the Spine Challengers, ultra specialist Dougie Zinis completed the longest of the Spine winter series races; the Spine.
The endurance event offers 268 miles of non-stop, expedition style racing along the Pennine Way and attracts many big names from the ultra running world.
This year was exceptional and saw a strong field of runners smash previous finish times by more than ten hours.
Known as a Spine legend far and wide, Zinis maintained a strong sense of purpose throughout the race, climbed 14,579 metres of ascent and achieved a finish time of 87:48:47, taking fourth place.
After his incredible achievement, a delighted Zinis said: “Over a nine-hour personal best in a line-up that made me think top ten would be good. I’m one happy man.”
Marc Collett celebrated his first race win when he took first prize at the winter handicap.
The lure of storm conditions, 50mph winds and a potent mixture of ice, snow, partially thawed bogs and horizontal rain ensured a high turnout for the fivemile dash to Stoodley Pike and back.
Collett held off the challenge of second-placed Emily King and Ailsa Nicholson, who finished third.
There was team success for Valley in the Hoof Stones fell race, a circular 12.9k navigational challenge in which runners visit trig points and take in a climb of 425m.
Valley returned home with both the men’s and women’s team prizes while James Logue took second place just ahead of captain Shaun Godsman in third.
Valley results: 2 James Logue, 3 Shaun Godsman, 30 Stuart Russell, 47 Louise Williamson, 57 Amanda Farrell, 60 Agnieska Midgley, 61 Sue Martin.
New club member Rebecca Di-Luzio ran her first fell race in Surrey and admitted that she had “loved it”.
The Box Hill fell race takes in the county’s prominent feature, comprising a circular route that covers 12k and includes a total of 520m of ascent.
And Di-Luzio made a big impression in her first outing, celebrating first place in the women’s V40 category.