Dunoon Hillrunners very own Grant Mackellar has once again proven his grit and determination, by completing the gruelling Winter Montane Spine Challenger South.
Widely regarded as one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world, the race takes runners across 108 miles of treacherous terrain through the Pennine Way, renowned for its boggy paths, unpredictable weather, and brutal physical demands.
This year’s challenge, however, was made even more extreme by the heavy snow that blanketed the course, adding a new layer of difficulty for the competitors.
For Grant, taking on the Winter Montane Spine was an opportunity to push himself to the limit: “It’s known all around the world as one of the toughest ultras out there.
“The wild weather and super tough terrain make it a real challenge, and most years, the ground is wet and boggy, but this year we had a lot of snow.”
Grant set off with the first group of racers at 8am on the Saturday, as clear skies and sub-zero temperatures greeted the runners.
Despite the seemingly perfect weather conditions, the real struggle came when the runners found themselves breaking new ground in untouched snow, with only a handful of competitors ahead of them: “We were ploughing through waist-high snow for hours at a snail’s pace, it was mentally and physically draining.”
The race’s most challenging moments arrived during the night section, when Grant was battling sleep deprivation and the brutal conditions of, at points, waist-deep snow: “We only managed four miles in five hours—it was mental torture.
“We reached an MRT checkpoint at 6am and they had bacon rolls and bovril which sorted me out.”
Grant adopted a strategy of breaking the course down into smaller, more manageable chunks to get through the rest of the course, adding: “Just thinking about reaching the next ten miles helped me stay focused.
“You can’t think too far ahead in a race like this.”
However, as Grant neared the final checkpoint, the exhaustion began to take its toll.
By the time they reached the last checkpoint, they had been racing for nearly two full days. “The thought of another five hours in the snow with the sun setting was overwhelming.
“I had a mental wobble for about ten minutes, but sometimes you need those moments to face your demons and find the positives.”
With 13 miles to go, he pushed on, but the toughest section was still ahead. “We hit waist-high snow again, and only three people had passed through before us.
“It was physically demanding, but by then, it was more mental.
“After 35 hours without sleep, every step became a struggle, the wind had picked up and it was hard to stay focused.”
Despite the mental and physical strain, Grant crossed the finish line in Hebden Bridge after 38 hours and 36 minutes of relentless effort – finishing joint fourth in the race.
He said: “I had five of my friends and family waiting for me at the finish, and that was such a big motivation to keep going.
“The support I received from everyone over the weekend really helped me when things got tough.”
Reflecting on the experience, Grant shared his belief that anyone is capable of achieving great things if they push their physical and mental boundaries: “I love testing myself, seeing just how much I can endure without breaking.
“I believe everyone is capable of so much more and if you can just believe in yourself and are willing to push yourself, amazing things can happen.”
Grant was quick to give credit to his training and support network, particularly the Dunoon Hillrunners and The Journey Fitness, where he has been honing his strength and conditioning. “The Hillrunners is a fantastic club with a great community.
“Anyone, at any ability level, will be welcomed with open arms.”
Grant was also eager to stress the importance of putting in the hours at the gym gym to ensure his body was in tip-top condition, adding: “It has been crucial for me in preparing for these tough events.
“A big shout-out to the Journey Fitness for their support.”
Grant’s accomplishment is a testament to his perseverance, mental toughness, and commitment to pushing his limits.
He continues to inspire not just his fellow runners but anyone with a passion for testing their own boundaries.
