Montane Arctic Spine Race 2024 | Day 7 Round-Up | A Week in the Snow

Kevin Leahy has been pushing along the Kungseden Trail now for a week.
A week exposed to temperatures which last night dropped to a reported -40°c as he slept out in the snow.
A week of surviving in the Arctic with just the contents of his pulk.
There is no endurance race, and certainly none of this scale, which doesn't include low points. Any endurance athlete, in any discipline, will tell you there are times when your mood is low and you have to find a reserve beyond your everyday limits to keep pressing forward. This morning was one of those times for Kev Leahy.
But he remains in motion and determinedly, relentlessly pressing on no matter what the circumstances. He continues to make good choices in response to his environment and carries on with the certainty of an athlete who has been in this hole before and knows that the only way out is through, and the lows never last forever.
THE END OF THE RACE
Conversations between Kev, Race Director Phil Hayday-Brown and the rest of our team have been ongoing and all have agreed that when Kev arrives in Jakkvikk it won't be a Checkpoint anymore, but a Finish Line.
Kevin Leahy is the last person standing and we'll be doing a lot better than just putting the kettle on when he approaches. We'll have a welcome party waiting for him, and we are all looking forward to celebrating his exceptional performance on the Kungsleden Trail.

[@helkeseitz4704]

Kevin is so calm and composed! I wish I could handle all situations like that! Kevin, you deserve the biggest finish line party the Arctic has ever seen! Thanks Montane team for supporting this fella! Your team is doing such an amazing job! What an adventure !

[@littleox6757]

Keep her lit Kev 🇮🇪🚀

[@stephenkelleghan1968]

That's a boy Kevin, keep her lit💪💪

[@Paul-cl6uo]

Amazing Kev 🔥

[@leegosling]

Fella, you’re a proper fella.

[@josephmchale2394]

what a legend, keep going Kevin😄

[@user-kz2px8fn2t]

What a legend; Killarney’s finest !

[@999shaznay]

Will all of the other competitors be there to celebrate Kev's heroic achievement, or have some left for home already?

[@annemoar5743]

Hat is off to you. 🫡