Spine Race runner stretchered off Cheviot Hills after falling ill just short of finish in Scottish Borders
Last updated 21st Jun 2024
A runner taking part in a non-stop 160-mile race along the Pennine Way has been rescued after falling ill - just a few miles short of the finish in Kirk Yetholm.
Volunteers from Border Search and Rescue Unit and Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue teamed up to reach the Summer Spine Challenger North competitor, who had become "incapacitated" in the Cheviot Hills overnight.
The casualty was then stretchered to a Land Rover which took them to a waiting ambulance at Cocklawfoot, arriving just after 6am.
Chris Cope, a type 1 diabetic, was first to complete the full 268-mile route on Wednesday - in just under 80 hours.
The Nottingham-based runner revealed he only got just over an hour's sleep during more than three days on his feet - including two five minute naps in a ditch.
Meanwhile, earlier today, Sue Straw became the first woman to complete what's been dubbed "Britain's most brutal race", while Stephen Hurren became the first to do the double of the Summer Spine Sprint followed by the full Summer Spine Race in the same week - a total of 314 miles.
A spokesperson for Border Search and Rescue said: "Most team members were asleep in bed having attended a stretcher packaging training session at our base in Kelso earlier that evening.
"Just after midnight the team were called to attend to a Summer Spine Race runner who had become incapacitated and unwell at a remote point on the Border Ridge in the Cheviots.
"NNPMRT approached from the south by vehicle and then by foot. BSARU approached from the north and by dint of some excellent driving, were able to get two Land Rovers from Cocklawfoot up The Street to the Border Gate.
"NNPMRT medics reached the casualty well along the ridge beyond Score Head and did an excellent job of stabilising and packaging the racer for extraction.
"BSARU followed with a stretcher and soon the casualty was on the move and the carry back to the vehicles had begun.
"Experience has in the past taught both teams that long carries along this section of the Cheviots can be arduous but last night a fit and experienced corps of volunteers in good spirits, lifted by the glorious night sky swiftly followed by beautiful daybreak, made easy work of a tough task."
They added: "We would like to congratulate the racer on a terrific effort in getting so admirably far and we send our very best wishes for a swift recovery."
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