A non-stop, 268 mile race along the iconic Pennine Way.
The Montane Summer Spine is a non-stop, 268 mile race along the most iconic national trail in Britain; the Pennine Way. Beginning from Edale in Derbyshire, runners have a time limit of 156 hours to reach the elusive village of Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. This is widely regarded as “Britain’s Most Brutal” endurance race. A truly epic challenge that will test your physical resilience and mental fortitude. Racing non-stop and unsupported through day and night, you will experience the sheer breath taking magnitude of this route where summer temperatures can fluctuate from the high twenties down to zero overnight. Prepare yourself for one of the biggest challenges of your life.
Entries open at 13:00 UK time on Monday 1st July.
Race Details
- Start: Edale, Derbyshire, UK
- Start Time: 08:00 June 15th 2025
- Distance: 268 miles
- Time Limit: 156 hours
- Finish: Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders
- Finish Time: 20:00 June 21st 2025
- Daytime Temperature: 5°C / 25°C
- Night-time Temperature: 0°C / 10°C
- Total Ascent: 10,732 metres
- Total Descent: 10,941 metres
- Daylight Hours in June: 19 hours
- Places Available: 150
Get your Race Information Pack
Find out everything you need to know about The Montane Summer Spine 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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Get a feel for what it's like to take on The Montane Summer Spine with our daily highlight films from 2024.
What's Next?
Ready to take on the challenge of The Montane Summer Spine? 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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Check Out The Pennine Way
Testimonials
Anna Troup
My advice to anyone considering the Summer Spine is to get out there and hike. It's big days on your feet. I think my 'skip' has become a patterned approach to taking on the challenge!
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.
Testimonials
Ray Poynter
Thanks to the many people that make this race possible. This race proves that ordinary people can do extraordinary things if we put in the time and effort.
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!
Testimonials
Eoin Keith
If you run your own race, and optimise your own performance, your best performance will come out.
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 80 miles, or have previously completed The Montane Challenger North or South event, then this will qualify you for the full race.
If you don’t meet these criteria, your experience can be drawn from other events. Mountain marathons, adventure races, orienteering events, fell races, expeditions of challenges like the Bob Graham Round or similar are looked upon 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, moorland and elements of navigation the better. Mountain Leaders, Mountain Rescue Team members, mountaineers, active and former Armed Forces personnel will likely all have the experience necessary too.
If you feel you have skills or experience not mentioned here, include it in your entry form. 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 five main check points (Hebden Hey, Hardraw, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Alston and Bellingham) Spiners are offered hot meals (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 (at Hebden Hey, Alston and Bellingham), professional medical crew, weather updates, race information and ample encouragement from friendly, helpful volunteers. The logistics team also ensures resupply bags belonging to runners are moved along the route from checkpoint to checkpoint.
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 is £925.
To secure your place, you can either pay in full when you enter or pay a deposit of £400. The remaining £525 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 £400 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