Montane Summer Spine

Challenger North

The Pennine Way

£500 per athlete

Enter the Challenger North

A non-stop, 160 miles race along the iconic Pennine Way.

New to The Montane Summer Spine Races this year, we proudly introduce this race after a positive response from runners and dot-watchers alike. The Montane Summer Spine Challenger North is a non-stop, 160 mile race along the Pennine Way from Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm.  You will have 96 hours to complete it. For those who have completed the Challenger South, this gives you an opportunity to take on the northern section of the full race route.

The trail crosses some of the most beautiful and difficult terrains in Britain including; the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall, and the Cheviots; finishing at the Scottish Borders. This race is open to those who wish to test themselves and compete in a truly demanding race. Tiredness, fatigue and sleep deprivation are all to be expected. To finish you must be prepared and willing to push yourself harder than ever before.

Race Details

  • Start: Hardraw, North Yorkshire, UK 
  • Start Time: 18:00 June 18th 2023
  • Distance: 160 miles
  • Time Limit: 96 hours
  • Finish: Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders
  • Finish Time: 18:00 June 22nd 2023
  • Daytime Temperature: 5°C / 25°C
  • Night-time Temperature: 0°C / 10°C 
  • Total Ascent: 5,290 metres
  • Total Descent: 5,591 metres
  • Daylight Hours in June: 19 hours
  • Places Available: 100

Get your Race Information Pack

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

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Watch The Montane Summer Spine 2022 Highlights

Get a feel for what it's like to take part in The Montane Summer Spine Races with our daily highlight films from 2022.

What's Next?

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

Testimonials

Simon Roberts

There's a respect for this course. You can't compare it to anything because of the non stop aspect. You get to have a 30 minute kip on Hadrian's Wall! I wanted to test myself and obviously I'll be back to do the big one.

Montane Winter Spine Challenger North Winner 2022

Testimonials

James Leavesley

The Spine is a great course, and I've enjoyed it every time I've done it. There is a great family vibe on the race and you are looked after like kings at the checkpoints!

Montane Summer Spine Male Podium 2022

Testimonials

Tiaan Erwee

It's got the name "Britain's Most Brutal" and it absolutely is! But it's the volunteers that make this race work. It's an amazing Spine family and that's the reason why everyone keeps coming back.

Montane Summer Spine Winner 2022

Race FAQs

This isn’t a beginner friendly race. We want you to be safe out there and experience of similar challenges will make you safer.

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

If you have run an ultra over 60 miles, or have previously completed The Montane Challenger or The Montane Spine, 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. Mountain Leaders, Winter Mountain Leaders, Mountain Rescue Team members, mountaineers, active and former Armed Forces personnel will likely all have the experience necessary, too.

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.

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 100 days before the race, you will get a partial refund. Please read the T&Cs before you make your payment.

At each of the check points (Middleton-in-Teesdale, Alston and Bellingham) Spiners are offered hot meals (both a dinner-type meal, such as pasta, as well as porridge), hot drinks, somewhere to sleep (we recommend ear plugs and sleeping masks), toilets, showers (Alston and Bellingham), medical staff, weather updates, race information and ample encouragement from friendly, helpful volunteers.

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.

The total cost for The Montane Summer Spine Challenger North is £500.

To secure your place, you can either pay in full when you enter or pay a deposit of £250. The remaining £250 will be due 100 days before race start. See below for the payment schedule.

Payments can be made online via your debit or credit card.

 

Payment schedule

To secure your place in the race, you will need to make a deposit payment of £250 on entry. The remaining fee is due 100 days prior to race start. Alternatively, you can pay in full when you enter.

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.

Deposit on entry

Pay a £250 deposit in order to secure your place.

100 days to race start

Remaining £250 is now due.

Official sponsor