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Upper Wharfedale rescuers battle 'crazy' weather in 108-mile race

Ruth Smith Abby Robertson and Clare CantyRuth Smith
Abby Robertson and Clare Canty (picture at the end of the challenge) were two of the three women to finish this year's race

Two mountain rescue team members have fought howling winds, snow and hail to complete a 108-mile (173km) race.

Abby Robertson, 28, and Clare Canty, 42, from the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA), battled the elements between Edale and Hawes to finish in 48 hours and 22 minutes.

A third team member, Ruth Smith, 36, had to retire after 46 miles following an earlier fall.

The group said they hoped to inspire more women to become rescuers.

Ms Smith said: "It was really tough, more than half of those who started the race failed to complete it.

"The weather was crazy, it was wet, windy, there was snow and hail - at one point the wind was so strong it knocked me off my feet."

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association Ruth Smith, Abby Robertson and Clare CantyUpper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association
Ruth Smith (above right) fell and injured her knee after 18 miles and had to retire at the 46-mile mark

The trio, who set off on Saturday morning, had to complete the race within 60 hours, but Abby and Clare completed the challenge with 12 hours to spare.

Speaking before the race Ms Smith said it had been "disappointing that no women had finished last year's race" and the group had hoped to change that.

"Mountain rescue is fairly male-dominated, so it will be good to raise the profile of female rescuers," she said.

Spine MRT Challenger The 108 mile (173km) routeSpine MRT Challenger
The Spine MRT Challenger is an event only open to members of Mountain Rescue England and Wales

This year's race saw six women start, with three completing the challenge.

Ms Smith said so far the trio's endeavours had raised £2,500 for UWFRA and mental health charity MIND.

UWFRA needs about £50,000 a year to provide its service, which involves around 70 mountain, cave or water rescues a year, she added.

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