Gruelling race events for husband and wife.
A marathon-loving local couple are taking on one of the most challenging races in Britain to raise vital funds for the Scoliosis Support and Research charity.
Jo and Martin Rouse, of Lavendon and members of the Olney Runners club have entered two tough Pennine Way runs early next year in aid of the charity. In June 2024, their 12 year old daughter, Sadie, was diagnosed with scoliosis, a condition causing curvature in the spine.
In November 2024 Sadie underwent two rounds of surgery, and had a difficult few months of recovery, literally having to learn to walk again.
Sadie is now fully recovered, she’s also an active member in Olney Runners Juniors, and back dancing at Dexterity Dance in Northampton. However, scoliosis will always be a part of her life, with regular check-ups to review how she’s progressing.
Martin will be running the Montane Winter Spine, a non-stop, 268 mile race along the most iconic and demanding national trail in Britain; the Pennine Way. He will have 156 hours to complete the course and can’t have any personal support along the way.
Martin is no stranger to long distance events – he ran the HOKA Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in 2025, one of the world’s top ultra-marathon races and 108 miles long.
Jo is the running the Montane Winter Spine Sprint South, a non-stop 46 mile race along the Pennine Way beginning from Edale in Derbyshire starting ahead of Martin on 9th January 2027, and she will have a time limit of 18 hours to reach the finish line at Hebden Bridge.
“It seemed fitting to run a ‘Spine’ race to raise funds for Scoliosis Support and Research,” said Jo. “We want to help other families who are going through what we experienced. The Montane Winter Spine is widely regarded as Britain’s most brutal endurance race and that matched the brutal surgery that Sadie had to go through.”
They have set a target of £2680 to match the 268 miles of the race Martin is undertaking. The pair have already kick-started the fund with the help of family and friends and are about halfway towards their target.
“I think they’re a bit crazy,” said Sadie. “But I’m proud of them, particularly my Mum because this is such a huge distance for her.”
To support the couple, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/jo-rouse-3.
