The 2026 Winter Spine Challenger South, a race renowned for its punishing 108-mile course along the Pennine Way, was overshadowed by an unprecedented security incident involving one of its most inspiring competitors. Sarah Porter, a British endurance athlete and humanitarian, was withdrawn from the event after organizers became aware of credible death threats linked to her advocacy work supporting women and girls in war-torn regions, particularly Afghanistan.
Porter, who had set her sights on the Challenger South as her first ultra race beyond 50 miles, entered the event with a unique blend of excitement and trepidation. Known for her background in triathlons and long-distance swimming, she had only recently embraced ultrarunning, drawn to the sport’s parallels with the resilience and struggle she witnesses in her philanthropic pursuits. "I’ve seen that this is called ‘Britain’s most brutal race’ and given the brutality that’s happening to women around the world and the work that we do, it feels so appropriate," Porter reflected before the start, highlighting the symbolic resonance of the challenge with her mission.
The Montane Spine Challenger South, which runs concurrently with the full Winter Spine Race, is infamous for its relentless winter conditions, sleep deprivation, and navigation across exposed moorlands. It’s a fixture for athletes seeking to test both body and mind. For Porter, the race was more than a personal milestone; it was a platform to raise funds and awareness for young women in Afghanistan, many of whom she had helped evacuate after the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021.
Porter’s humanitarian efforts are extensive. As the founder and CEO of InspiredMinds, she leads a community-driven tech business advocating for equitable access to artificial intelligence and education for girls in low- to middle-income countries. Her journey with the Afghan girls began in 2017, when she helped an all-girl robotics team overcome visa obstacles to compete internationally. Their bond deepened, and Porter became instrumental in orchestrating their evacuation, alongside their families, during the fall of Kabul. Her activism, however, has not come without personal risk. "You can, as an individual, have a huge effect. You just need to know where you stand and be prepared to stand up and fight for it," she has said, underscoring the conviction that drives her work.
Despite her growing profile in the ultrarunning community, Porter is no stranger to security precautions. For the Challenger South, a thorough risk assessment was conducted with race organizers and her security team. She was accompanied by a bodyguard at key public points, though the bodyguard was not allowed to interact with her directly. Porter initially insisted on keeping her race tracker visible to sponsors, but the feature was disabled shortly after the race began due to safety concerns.
After managing the opening miles with determination, Porter’s race took a dramatic turn around the 30-mile mark. She received a message indicating that threats against her were ongoing. At Standedge, she was met by a team from the Spine Race and informed that she would be withdrawn from the event for her protection. The decision, made on the recommendation of race director Phil Hayday-Brown, was announced publicly the following day. "On Saturday the 10th we made the difficult decision to remove one of our participants from the race following a personal safety threat, we have been working with all the relevant authorities and believe there is no wider threat to other participants on the course. We understand that this is disappointing for the runner in question, but the safety of all our participants is always our primary concern," the organization stated.
For Porter, the emotional impact of being forced to stop was immediate and profound. "By the time I got to Standedge, a team from the Spine Race met me and said ‘we’re withdrawing you from the race and we need you to get off course,’" she recounted. High on caffeine and adrenaline from the grueling conditions, she described the moment as a blur. "Not long enough to feel like I’d accomplished much," she admitted, though she cherished the segments she was able to run through the snow. Still, Porter remains resolute: "I really have to go out there now, not just for myself, but also for the girls that I’m supporting, and finish something big, and I’m not going to stop until I do that now. I’m hell-bent on it."
The incident has sent ripples through the endurance community and beyond, highlighting the increasingly blurred line between online harassment and real-world security risks for athletes. While ultrarunners are accustomed to braving harsh weather, injury, and exhaustion, the threat Porter faced was of a different nature—one that couldn’t be outrun or taped up. As iRunFar and other endurance media outlets have noted, pulling a runner from a race for security reasons is a rare and sobering step, especially in a sport that prides itself on resilience and grit.
The broader implications for event organizers are significant. The case raises urgent questions about duty of care, threat assessment, and how best to protect participants without inadvertently amplifying the attention that leads to harassment. In response, the Spine Race organization has reaffirmed its commitment to participant safety, working closely with authorities and reviewing protocols. The incident has also prompted discussions within the ultrarunning world about the responsibilities of race directors, the importance of safeguarding, and the need for clear communication strategies in the face of such threats.
Despite her disappointment, Porter’s resolve remains unshaken. She is already planning to compete in several upcoming ultra races in the UK and the US, with her sights set on surpassing the 100-mile mark. For her, trail running offers more than just a physical outlet—it’s a form of therapy and a way to channel the anxiety that comes with her advocacy. "Trail running offers that… being out in nature does wonders for your health," she shared, emphasizing the restorative power of the sport.
The running community has rallied in support of Porter, with many contributing to her fundraising efforts for women and girls affected by conflict. Her story has become a rallying point, illustrating both the perils and the profound impact of standing up for justice, even in the face of adversity. The 2026 Winter Spine Challenger South may have ended early for Porter, but her journey—and her fight for the rights of women and girls—shows no sign of slowing down.
As the world of endurance sports grapples with new realities, Porter’s experience is a stark reminder that the greatest challenges sometimes come from outside the course. Yet, as she prepares for her next race, her determination to finish something big—for herself and those she supports—remains undimmed.
