FELL rescuer Joe Parsons was forced to pull out from the 'brutal' Montane Spine races last night after sustaining an injury.
Joe, who was taking part in the Montane Spine MRT Challenge North, a non-stop 160 mile race from Hardraw, North Yorkshire to Kirk Yetholm, and a two-times winner, had been leading from the start and had reached Bellingham, covering 106 miles in 38 hours and 45 minutes.
Joe said that the hard frozen ground made every step painful while ice on the tops of Great Dun Fell and Cross Fell was the worst ice he had seen on a summit.
"With eight to nine inches of wind blown verglas (a thin coating of ice or frozen rain) it was like running through broken bottles, not knowing if the ice would hold or snap, or if you’d just kick lumps of it flying. I think if it had been muddy like usual I’d be in a different situation right now."
A spokesperson for his Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue team said: "Joe can be justifiably proud of his achievement and we are sure he will be back next year. Best wishes to the remaining Spiners from team UWFRA."
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