Dave Phillips and Hannah Rickman have claimed victories in the 300K 2024 SILVA Northern Traverse. After a race in which athletes faced the extra challenge of the impact of Storm Kathleen, Phillips completed his journey from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay early on the morning of Monday 8 April, while Rickman finished second overall a few hours later.

The early leader in the 2024 SILVA Northern Traverse was Mark Darbyshire, who set a blistering pace, but he pulled out in Richmond. Once in the lead, British runner Dave Phillips maintained a strong pace and reached Robin Hood’s Bay in 47 hours 32 minutes and 14 seconds. Fellow Brit Hannah Rickman ran brilliantly to win the women’s race and claim second place overall, in 52:42:18.

Finland’s Juhanna Kirk won the SILVA Lakes Traverse in a time of 12:11:44. The women’s race was won by Brit Samantha Lissauer in 13:27:04. The SILVA Dales Traverse was won by a Dale. Cumbria based Gavin Dale stormed along the course in 4:45:40, while the women’s race was won by fellow Brit Mary Gillie in 6:42:49. There was more British success in the SILVA Moors Traverse, with Benjamin Voke winning in 8:47:59 and Hillary Anne Szwed winning the women’s race in 10:55:28.

On Saturday and Sunday, runners faced heavy rain showers, very boggy underfoot conditions and wind speeds of up to 50mph, as Storm Kathleen moved from west to east. Participants towards the back of the races were diverted from high ground to a lower level route for safety reasons.

Speaking after his victory, Dave Phillips said: “It was an adventure! I’m happy. I wanted to do it in under 48 hours. That wind was relentless, but it was more tailwind than headwind. It was the conditions underfoot that made it slow. The bogs were super boggy! Even coming across the last bit was so wet. I only had 10 minute sleeps along the trail. I might have been better off just sleeping three hours and perhaps I’d have been quicker!”

Hannah Rickman commented: “It was so muddy - I was really ready to be done! A lot of the last bit was uncontrolled falling. I’m not aching in unusual ways, just the expected ways.

For more information about the events, visit the Northern Traverse website.

Image: Northern Traverse