Samuel Skinner

@arcofattritionbyutmb 2026 630 started the arc of attrition 100 this year and only 260 finished, which was a testament to the conditions this year. With the Mixture of a calf niggle and coming of the back of a nasty chest infection, I decided to run only a day or so prior. Once the decision was made though, we @mandruns and @goody0503 didn’t speak once about it and we were fully focused on the task in hand. The weather was a hot subject, as new yellow weather warnings for storm Ingrid, was echoed around Cornwall. The storm was in full flow by the time I got to penzance (I had a huge smile on my face) the waves were smashing over the road, serenading the runners, I knew it was going to be a naughty race! I ran fluently behind Hugh in the night section, he had paced the first half perfectly and I can take a lot away from him and how he races, I remember him cool as a cucumber saying that the leaders were all ahead of marks course record pace in bad conditions, that was a sign?! I surged a bit from lizard point early on in the race which cost me later on, by the time I had reached st ives, I knew hugh had more in his legs than I did, he is such a gentleman. My crew worked hard on me at Lelant and pushed me back out to war for a well earned 3rd place . I can take a lot from that race given a few of the circumstances on the build up. I was only saying to my friend @craig.woodall.73 a few days ago that I won’t go in for another UTMB world finals lottery, after another failed attempt!But I will ‘earn’ my place at one of their races In the near future, so I’m happy to have done that so soon. I feel so very lucky to have found this sport, I love introducing it to others too, running strips me down and helps me do life better! I get that with the group we have formed in @georgeandfalcontrailrunners who are all on their journey and we all connect so well through the love of this sport. Last pic was is with Ian the man that took me on my first trail run when I really needed it a few years back, I am forever grateful 🙏 @vjsportshoes @fenixlightuk @precisionfandh nailed my nutrition as ever. @pain_cave_headwear @betaoutdoorsports always support with kit.

@ultratrailsnowdonia UTS 165km (9500m) World Series By UTMB 10th overall (29:28:10) Few honest notes below: Body and legs felt very well conditioned post spine. I ran everything that could have been run (on a NOT very runnable course) and still running at the end of a 100 mile mountain race is a positive. kit choice was spot on. @mandruns (crew) dealt with the hot weather Card amazing. Things I can and cant change that did happen! stomach issues 80-100km in. Went out relatively hard, then got ‘Comfortable’ on the long night section and i had negative DNF thoughts going into beddgellert and I was convinced I was dropping there ‘rehearsing it in my head over and over’ Reflecting today, I feel so lucky to have my wife crewing me . She is the one I want next to me in my darkest moments. Crew are important in races like UTS 165km. Crew for long races needs to be someone/people that knows you and your emotions. I feel so lucky that the same person I had visiting me in Rehab and getting me sober all those years ago, the one that helped get me well, is still there today now I’m sober, I’m so grateful We are on the journey together. She sent me back out to fight, like I have learned how to over the years! If I’m totally honest, id give myself a 6 or 7/10 for this 100 mile performance, but it’s one I can build on. What I do know (especially the longer stuff) is trust the process. It’s a “journey” staying consistent, making mistakes, keep raising the bar in training, keep turning up, keep asking questions, practicing and most importantly “that I’m enjoying the journey” Always earned, never given. 📸 @gilly_photography

Winter Spine 2025. Words I started jotting down after the finish, Humbling, beautiful, painful, lonely, peaceful, unforgiving, relentless, wild, barren, cold, icy, eerie, windy, snowy, muddy, undulating and Magical. I got what I really wanted from this adventure. I’m just a roofer from Botley that could have gone down another road a few years back , a ‘one way road’ I nearly didn’t turnaround on. I’m very proud to have got myself into the shape of my life, to enable me to produce a top 10 finish on this big stage. Highlight (apart from the send off from my beautiful family) was sleeping on Hadrian’s wall underneath the ‘wolf moon’ It is a memory I’ll cherish forever. Thank you to every single person that got behind me, you all know who you are and I am forever grateful. There were choices that needed to be made fast throughout the race. I’ve never taken part in a spine race before and They kept saying at checkpoints “the snows the worst it’s been especially on the south route to Hawes” I just grin and bear it, it’s the same for everyone I tell myself, we are all flesh and blood! I hit my toe or my knee on a stile, I look up and smile, that was meant to happen! split second choices are made or else my race would have been different. I spoke aloud constantly. The spine is more than a race. It’s a journey that changes you forever. ‘Speed up and hang on to the train’ slow down sam or you are done for I’d say. I find myself asking myself (honestly )about my race and if I am ok with it… as @ultra_damo put it “it’s a great spine debut sam” I think he’s right. For now “just for today” as i practice in my every day recovery “just for today, one day at a time it’s okay”I already find myself puzzling, planning, asking myself can I go quicker? conditions, terrain, weather can all be factors right? Will I be back? Yes. Can I go quicker, yes. Will I go quicker… yes Life is all about “what ifs” and although I am content with my performance and finish, I think there is more to come on this race. “Always earned Never given” #spinerace #vjsportshoes #precisionfuelandhydration #fenix #samonthetrails #recoveryispossible #alwaysearnednevergiven #naaknutrition #piambrownward

@ultratrailsnowdonia In a world where you can buy almost anything with the click of a button, you still have to earn the right to move yourself through a mountain range with nearly 10,000m of elevation gain. Say what you want about it — even take away the UTMB label for a moment— but the Welsh mountains of Snowdonia are beautifully rugged and completely unforgiving under foot. For me, this 100-mile course is pound for pound the hardest route I’ve ever run/hiked on. Add a chesty cough that started last Monday on taper, add full-pelt rain, snow, and a -5 wind chill hitting you at mile 80 on the summit of Snowdon… and somehow, that became the perfect environment to really challenge myself on Friday/Saturday! 70+ nationalities on all start lines.
1hr 30 gained on last year. 7th overall.
And a lot more learned about myself across the distance and terrain — especially around fueling, clothing, and mindset. Trail running teaches you to love the journey and be grateful for the things/Mother Nature that are raw and don’t cost a penny. The people, the conversations, the shared suffering, the support along the way… there are too many to mention in one post, but you all know who you are. To be part of an event surrounded by some of the best athletes in the world was once again an incredible and humbling experience. The first time I’ve been mentioned in an elite pen by utmb at such an event was the first for me and one I enjoyed with my wife and my son taking part in their first utmb experience too! For the ‘ex alcoholic’ I am so grateful for the life I have found through this sport, but it’s important that’s also part of my journey too. I’ve been lucky enough for @mandruns to crew me through doors of a rehab clinic to elite pens at a utmb race, there’s no one I’d rather have in my corner. If anyone is ever struggling, my inbox is always open.🙏 Until the next one ⛰️ 📷 @evandavies.photos @vjsportshoes @precisionfandh @fenixlightuk @janjiuk @georgeandfalcontrailrunners @suunto

UTS READY. Long days in the mountains demand gear that actually works. A good bucket hat isn’t just about style - it’s protection from the sun, airflow when the heat builds, and staying comfortable deep into long efforts when everything starts to hurt. The PAIN CAVE bucket hats were built for exactly that: • Lightweight + breathable mesh • Sweat-wicking comfort • Adjustable fit • Designed for long hours on trail If you’re heading to Ultra Trail Snowdonia this weekend and still need race kit, there’s still time to grab yours. Green. Blue. Red. Pick your colourway. paincaveheadwear.com

Great to get amongst the whippets today @abpsouthamptonofficial half marathon . Treating this as the “last hoorah” before @ultratrailsnowdonia , it wasn’t in the script as such, but what is a script in ultra running?! I like to practice‘adaptations’ going against the grain slightly, today was about full send on tired legs, that have mainly been focused on vert and undulating terrain. This block has been very long and consistent since @arcofattritionbyutmb in January. What ever happens there, I’ve enjoyed this block and I can say to myself that I deserve to be on the start line. Big thanks to @georgeandfalcontrailrunners , the support within this movement, is second to none! This sport keeps me turning up, honest and mixing with like minded people that want to be better than they were yesterday! Well done to everyone that keeps showing up. #earnednevergiven #georgeandfalcontrailrunners

Some Snaps of the last few weeks training before @ultratrailsnowdonia . Very grateful for the support I have received on the build up to this event. For me, the 100 mile course is pound for pound the toughest terrain I have ran on in north wales. It really beats you up if you are not conditioned. @janjiuk @vjsportshoes @precisionfandh @fenixlightuk @evsportsmassage @pain_cave_headwear @georgeandfalcontrailrunners have really supported me on the build up to this ‘dance’ in the welsh mountains. I’ve never put so much into a block. I have huge respect for it and I know what is ahead #earnednevergiven

Welsh 3000! My first time doing this challenge and what an experience it was! Completely out of my comfort zone straight into the deep end but no better way to do it! Had an amazing group around me for this and I can’t thank them all enough for bringing me along on this trip💙 Was quality to spend 13 hours through every weather condition possible with a group of like minded people getting it done! @samonthetrails huge shout out to yourself for giving me this opportunity to come along and experience this! Gumps Bunk will be remembered! To Mike Gareth Cammy Jason what a day that was🙌 And to Gary for supporting us at each stop along the way💪

Welsh 3000’s We had all the weather on this iconic challenge. I I always feel total gratitude on big efforts and by ‘doing hard things’ they are totally’earned’ and they might just change you for the better, ever so slightly! What I really loved on this occasion was seeing 21 year old @thenewforestgump get it over the line on his first trip to wales! Not one moan or “how long left?” He jumped at the chance to come and attempt this with us and trusted us to get him round with @georgeandfalcontrailrunners @harrington_1812 @garethfish80 @matcammy @jason_riley_van_adventures @gary.camfield I watched a boy become a man on this British classic today. He, as many other ultra runners I know has had some cards dealt to him in life, that he has managed to ‘shuffle’ and use them To his strengths and do hard things! Well earned young man! #dohardthings #earnednevergiven #welsh3000’s #georgeandfalcontrailrunners

One of those days, if you know you know. #georgeandfalcontrailrunners #paincaveheadwear #vjsportshoes

Enjoying this training block, trying some different things and most importantly enjoying the journey! Few snaps of some memorable training sessions the past few weeks. #earnednevergiven