Damian Hall stormed across the finish line of the Northern Traverse in a jaw-dropping 42 hours, 56 minutes, and 50 seconds, smashing the previous course held since 2022 by Kim Collison (44 hours and 24 minutes). In true British fashion, Damian was greeted at 3:36am with a cup of tea presented by event director Shane Ohly.
“It’s a long way to run for a cup of tea, my body is angry but that was cracking!”
– Damian Hall, quoted at the finish
The current high-pressure front contributed to 2025 being a record-breaking year for the Traverse Series, with five course records shattered across the Northern, Dales, and Moors Traverses. While the weather may have appeared ideal for running, participants still faced significant challenges as temperatures swung dramatically from +20°C during the day to -3°C overnight. Compared to the stormy washout of 2024, this year’s conditions were far more forgiving. Lianne van Dijk, who was this years second woman in the Northern Traverse race, knocked an incredible 14 hours off her 2024 time. Speaking at the finish in Robin Hood’s Bay, she said “It was such a stunning race. Although not all my goals were achievable, I really wanted to finish strong. That final cliff path was so cool, there was no one around, so I could just go fast.”
Spanning some of the most iconic landscapes in the UK, following Albert Wainwrights coast-to-coast route from the Lake District through the Yorkshire Dales to the North York Moors, the Traverse Series continues to draw seasoned ultra-runners and ambitious newcomers alike.
The Lakes Traverse ® 100km delivered one of the most exciting finishes of the weekend. The men’s race was almost neck and neck until the final 10km, when Rupert Allison surged ahead, putting the hammer down to secure the win in 10:31:31. Just five minutes behind him was former Cape Wrath Ultra winner David Parrish, followed by Jonny Kilpatrick in third. In the women’s field, Anna Watkinson-Powell took the win in 12:26:17, holding off strong competition from Hannah Rickman and Saki Nakamura. Despite the fierce racing, the Lakes Traverse course records set by Mark Derbyshire and Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn in 2023 remain unbeaten, for now.
Event Director Shane Ohly “Personal highlights for me are always seeing the Event Team pulling together to deliver a complex multi-day event, gaining a sense how important and satisfying the sense of achievement is for all the finisher, and of course, having he privileging of witness some of my friends succeed at their goals. As ever, the participants and I owe a great debt the volunteers and professional staff on the event team.”
Race Results
The Northern Traverse – 300km race
Men’s Results
Damian Hall – 42:56:50 (New Course Record)
James Chapman – 47:29:04
David Hanna – 52:07:13
Women’s Results
Fiona Horsfield – 54:12:21 (4th Overall)
Lianne van Dijk – 59:53:35 (Shaving 14 hours off her 2024 time on the course)
Laura Swanton-Rouvelin – 61:27:05
The Lakes Traverse – 100km race
Men’s Results
Rupert Allison – 10:31:31
David Parrish – 10:36:42
Jonny Kilpatrick – 11:37:37
Women’s Results
Anna Watkinson-Powell – 12:26:17
Hannah Rickman – 12:52:18
Saki Nakamura – 13:21:59
The Dales Traverse – 55km race
Men’s Results
Spencer Shaw – 04:28:16 (New Course Record)
Jonathon Marks – 05:18:59
Jack Oliver – 05:26:41 (Gained entry just 2 weeks before via a giveaway!)
Women’s Results
Jess Ross – 05:32:11 (New Course Record)
Johana Mackova – 06:14:11
Cheryll Januszewski – 06:28:20
The Moors Traverse – 80km race
Men’s Results
Michael Arkinstall-Doyle – 07:59:25 (New Course Record)
Tim Marsters – 08:03:37
Gareth Grey – 08:45:55
Women’s Results
Victoria Morris – 09:09:40 (New Course Record – over an hour faster than 2024 and 4th overall)
Emma Harrison – 10:16:00
Emma Franklin – 10:38:29
