Horwich Harrier Paul Grundy has won one of the hardest endurance race in the world.

The Montane Winter Spine Challenger North 2025, is 160 miles long with 15,900 feet of climbing and uses the Pennine Way as the route.

Grundy, holder of the Northumberland Coastal Path FKT, took on this challenge because he walked the Pennine Way with his dad at the age of 14 and always wanted to race the iconic route.

On Monday at 8am in snowy and icy conditions in Hardraw, North Yorkshire, he set off, carrying all his kit, including a sleep system, stove and cooking utensils plus spare clothes to race 100 other endurance athletes.

In just over 47 hours later, he crossed the finish line first more than five hours ahead of the second-place runner.

The feat is even more remarkable when Grundy revealed he slipped on an icy surface with 15 miles to go and had to hobble to the finish. After a hospital check, it was only muscular damage.

One of the race organisers said: “During the race at the checkpoints along the way, the team marvelled at his meticulously-packed supplies, including notes of encouragement tucked among the snacks by his children.

“He arrived in Kirk Yetholm before sunrise to applause from our gathered team.

“He’s become hugely popular with the volunteer team having shown nothing but kindness, generosity and humility from all the village halls, all the way across the Scottish border.”

Grundy is now hopeful of taking on the full Winter Spine Race of 268 miles next year.