MRT Challenge South — The Spine Race

Montane Summer Spine

MRT Challenge South

The Pennine Way

Check back soon for entry details on this race.

A non-stop, 108 mile Mountain Rescue Team race along the Pennine Way

Returning in 2025 will be the MRT Challenge South. A special edition of the Montane Spine Challenger South and North has been created exclusively for active Mountain Rescue members. It provides the MRTs an event where team members can compete against each other along the Pennine Way. The creation of the race allows serving members to have their own race and receive a subsidised entry (to cover costs for food and tracker hire) and in return a number of MRTs provide vehicles and crew along the race route. Read more about the partnership between the MRT and the Spine Race here.

The MRT Challenge South follows the same 108 mile route and races under the same conditions as the Challenger South. Beginning from Edale, competitors have a time limit of 60 hours to get to the finish line at Hardraw. The race covers a beautiful section of the trail which features the iconic moorland of the Kinder Plateau, numerous National Parks, Malham Cove and Pen-y-Ghent to name a few. This challenging and technical section of the Pennine Way is a physically and psychologically demanding route that requires concentration, good physical fitness, resolve and respect. This is a notoriously difficult event in its own right and should be considered as having a similar degree of difficulty as the Montane Summer Spine.

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Race Details

Start: Edale, Derbyshire, UK
Start Time: 08:30 June 13th 2026
Distance: 108 miles
Time Limit: 60 hours
Finish: Hardraw, North Yorkshire
Finish Time: 20:30 June 15th 2026

Daytime Temperature: 5°C / 25°C
Night-time Temperature: 0°C / 10°C
Total Ascent: 5451 metres
Total Descent: 5449 metres
Daylight Hours in June: 19 hours
Places Available: 25

Get your Race Information Pack

Find out everything you need to know about The Montane Summer Spine MRT Challenge South by downloading our free race information pack. It includes all the details about the route, checkpoints and some tips from the experts.

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Watch The Montane Summer Spine 2024 Highlights

Get a feel for what it's like to take part in The Montane Summer Spine Races with our daily highlight films from 2024.

What's Next?

Ready to take on The Montane Summer Spine MRT Challenge South? See who is already on the race roster, download your race information pack or take a closer look at the Pennine Way.

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Testimonials

Tim Piggott

Thanks to all the Spine family for making this dream happen, from the smoothest of registrations and kit checks I've ever done, to the aid stations and the team at the finish who took such good care of us in our sweaty, smelly, physically and emotionally battered state!

Montane Summer Spine Male Challenger Winner 2022

Testimonials

Laura Johnson

You can never predict what's going to happen on the Pennine Way. Respect the challenge. Keep reminding yourself you are capable of doing it. Keep your heart strong and remember your reason for doing it.

Montane Summer Spine Challenger Female Winner 2022

Race FAQs

What experience level is needed to gain an entry to The Montane Summer Spine MRT Challenge South?

This isn’t a beginner friendly race. We want you to be safe out there and experience of similar challenges will make you safer, but Mountain Leaders, Winter Mountain Leaders and Mountain Rescue Team members will likely all have the experience necessary.

Firstly, you must be aged 21 years or over at the time of the race.

If you have run an ultra over 40 miles, or have previously completed a Montane Spine race before then this will qualify you for the race.

If you don’t meet these criteria, your experience can be drawn from various sources and is not limited to ultra or multi-stage events. Mountain marathons, adventure races, orienteering events, fell races, expeditions or challenges like the Bob Graham Round or similar are are looked on favourably. Long distance walking is also extremely beneficial and you may find yourself doing a lot of this! The more a challenge features mountainous terrain, cold, moorland and elements of navigation the better.

We are also very happy to advise those who feel they don’t yet have the experience level required, on what races, challenges or experiences they could do to gain entry.

What if I enter but can no longer race?

We would always recommend that every runner purchases appropriate insurance to cover your participation in a Montane Spine event and the costs of your entry fee, should you not be able to take part.

The race has enormous infrastructure costs, most of which are fixed and committed up to twelve months in advance, which unfortunately prevents the option of a full refund. We want to be as fair as possible though, so while your entry fee includes a non-refundable deposit, if you notify us before the deadline (see Terms & Conditions) of 100 days before the race, you will get a partial refund. Please read the T&Cs before you make your payment.

What can I expect at the checkpoint?

At Hebden Hey you are offered a hot meal (both a dinner-type meal, such as pasta, as well as porridge), hot and cold drinks, somewhere to sleep (we recommend ear plugs and sleeping masks), toilets, showers, professional medical crew, weather updates, race information and ample encouragement from friendly, helpful volunteers. The logistics team also ensures your resupply bag will be at the checkpoint.

Can I expect help along the route?

The Spine races are unsupported events. But you are welcome to utilise cafes and pubs along the route for sustenance and shelter. There’s some history of Spiners being offered sustenance by locals, which is a nice touch and very difficult to police, so we deem that to be fine. What’s not okay though is pacing, receiving planned support or having a private support vehicle follow your progress.

How do I pay the deposit and fees?

Payment schedule

To secure your place in the race, you will need to make your payment of £110 on entry. This includes a non-refundable deposit of £44.

You can use your debit or credit card to make your payments online. Stripe Payments handles the steps between you providing your card information and learning that the payment has been accepted. Some of the world’s largest companies, including Amazon and Shopify, use Stripe.

Payment on entry

Pay £110 to secure your place.