Super Trouper! Anna wins 2025 Montane Summer Spine Race
Last updated 19th Jun 2025
She didn't take up ultra running until she reached her 40s.
But Anna Troup was the first female to finish the summer edition of the Montane Spine Race in 2021 when she broke the women’s course record.
She repeated that feat when she returned to take on what is billed as Britain's most brutal foot race the following year - and in doing so set another course record which still stands today.
But, after two years out recovering from a broken foot, the 55-year-old mum went one better this year - by winning the 268-mile race along the Pennine Way outright.
Anna, from Henley in Oxfordshire, was first over the finish line in Kirk Yetholm shortly before 9pm last night (Wednesday), in a time of 84 hours, 56 minutes and 37 seconds.
And, having set off from Edale in Derbyshire at 8am on Sunday, she revealed she did it on less than an hour's sleep.
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"I'm actually really quite tired," she told Greatest Hits Radio, after arriving in the Scottish Borders. "I've had 40 minutes in the last four days so it's quite nice to be here. But I'm thrilled, absolutely thrilled.
"The really tough bit in this race is the last 12 or 14 miles when you're up on the high points of the Cheviots. You think you're nearly there and you're so not, and it feels like it goes on forever."
And she added: "Even though I've done it now three or four times, it takes me by surprise every time."
When asked where she slept, the endurance athlete replied: "When I got to Bellingham; the lady who runs that (checkpoint), I know her well and I said (to let me sleep for) 20 - and she didn't wake me up!"
The finance worker, who finished more than four hours ahead of her nearest challenger, took up running with her partner Richard Staite as they enjoyed exercise and competition.
And, while not as fast as her last attempt, she hopes her achievements will inspire more women to give it a go.
Anna, who revealed her go to for hydration is hot water and lemon, said: "It's so special coming back from injury, it's just so great; I can't even begin to describe how wonderful it is.
"I do have a history of sport but ultra running? No. So, it would be great to see more ladies out there."
More than 700 runners from around the world are taking part in this week's Spine races - with a new 43 mile North Sprint adding to the event's ever-growing appeal.
Meanwhile, Ian Stark is part of a team from Border Search and Rescue Unit taking on the 160-mile Mountain Rescue Team Challenger event, to raise money for the life-saving service.
He finished around 12.30am this morning (Thursday), after more than 64 hours on his feet.
Race director Phil Hayday-Brown said: "Everyone looks at the winter event as being the most brutal, but some who've done both say the summer is just as bad, if not worse, with the heat; so it just depends on what the weather does."
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