Challenge Walks – a changing profile

My own Long Distance Walkers group, the Marches has one of the best track records within the association for hosting challenge walks usually 20-30 miles with2-3000 foot of climbing.  We organise 4 walks annually and since covid everyone has been fully booked within a few weeks (often only a few days).  For some years the average age of entries has been climbing to the high fifties with men dominating the lists.  This year has seen the average age drop with female walkers now making up the greater numbers.

The achievements of female athletes in ultra events no longer surprises us as women trail runners snap up records as their counterparts in the swimming world have been doing for some time.

  • Courtney Dauwalter (USA): Widely considered the greatest of all time, she continued her dominance in 2025, winning the Lavaredo Ultra Trail 120K and the Mt. Fuji 100 Mile. In 2023, she became the first person to win the Western States, Hardrock, and UTMB in a single year.
  • Katie Schide (USA/France): A top-tier elite who won the 2025 Hardrock 100 and the 2025 Madeira Ultra Trail 100-miler. She also holds titles from UTMB (2022, 2024).
  • Sarah Perry (UK): Had a breakthrough 2025 season, becoming the “last woman standing” at the 2025 Big’s Backyard Ultra World Championships in Tennessee, setting a new women’s world record of 95 laps (approx. 396 miles).
  • Ruth Croft (New Zealand): Won the 2026 Tarawera by UTMB 102k (her third consecutive win) and the 2025 Transvulcania 100K.
  • Jasmin Paris (UK): Made history in 2024 as the first woman to ever complete the Barkley Marathons within the time limit.

New Brits on the world tour

Young British riders are well to the fore in UCI rankings with Tom Pidcock and Oscar Onley both in the top 10.  Simon Yates has announced his retirement but Adam hopes to contnue his return to the top after a stunning Giro steal.  Matthew Brennan, Ben Tulet and Samuel Watson will hopefully improve their ranking as the season progresses, Mattie and Sam having already picked up stages ‘Down Under’.

Debutants this season include Oliver Peace for Picnic Post, Noah Hobbs for Easy Post, Callum Thornley for Red Bull and Joshua Giddings for Lotto

Sprinters or Climbers

Sprinters or climbers the Cobblestone Dilemma

Short tours like the current Tour Down Under pose a problem to cycling fantasists.  A climber will probably gain enough time to take the GC but is likely to compete in only one stage.  The other stages will likely be shared amongst the sprinters or a rouleur in a break.  I discarded Jay Vine for Matthew Brennan, a mistake as it turned out but I luckily picked up points from Tobias Andresen to soften the pain.

LDWA member – hero on Montane Spine Challenge

MONTANE WINTER SPINE / An unconventional end!
Edwin Tate crosses the line in a rather unconventional end to his Montane Spine Challenger North.
Edwin was skirting the cut off through the night, but pushed hard to try and make it through the Cheviot and down to the finish line.
When a fellow runner encountered difficulties on course, Edwin sacrificed his own race and chance to beat the cutoff to assist her, supporting both HQ and the Safety Teams to make sure she was helped on safely.
Edwin was given a three hour time credit for assisting his fellow runner, but unfortunately this still wasn’t quite enough to make it to the finish in time.
However, he was in good health and fine spirits and after having been deemed medically fit to continue he kept walking, finally crossing the line as a non-competitive runner in 116hrs 47mins.
He might not have an official finish position, but we think Edwin deserves a huge thank you for showcasing the spirit of the Spine family, and a massive congratulations on completing the Montane Winter Spine Challenger North, in slightly unconventional circumstances.