The Summer Spine. The acclaimed and awaited race sees racers climb 10,732m (35,209ft) through 268 miles of the iconic Pennine Way. Known as one of the toughest endurance races in the world, the Montane Spine Race has three editions: a summer, winter and arctic race. Each of them has their own challenges to endure.
The Winter and Summer Races, often known as Britain’s Most Brutal, take on the iconic Pennine Way in the UK. The Arctic Races take on The King’s Trail, also known as the Kunglesden, Sweden’s longest and most famous trail.
Across the weekend of June 18th 2023, the Montane Spine series took place, with four races taking place up and down the Pennine Way.
The Summer Spine Race
The famous 268-mile Montane Spine Race begins in Edale, where racers have 156 hours (6.5 days) to travel up to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. Described as “Britain’s Most Brutal”, this is a challenge that will test both your physical and mental strength.
“The Montane Spine Race was one of the most physically demanding and mentally taxing challenges I’ve ever experienced. Navigating my way across 268 miles of brutal English countryside with changing weather and sleep deprivation proved to be extremely difficult, although I managed to hold things together to finish strong for a 2nd place finish. It was truly a life-changing event for me and one I wouldn’t change for anything.” – Peter Mortimer, 2nd Place, Male
Male Race
1st Dave Phillips – 76:59:33
2nd Peter Mortimer – 93:12:27
3rd Phil Harris – 94:12:19
“More brutal, more beautiful and more of an experience than I could ever have expected. I took on the Summer Spine knowing it was epic, but the people and sense of support, the landscapes and the route itself gave me one of the more intense weeks of my life.
“It’s a race that pushes you like nothing else I have ever done but rewards you with the most stunning moments, like an owl hunting over Northumberland and seeing smiling faces as you come into a checkpoint. I wasn’t there to try and place in it; I wanted to be able to run my own race but was really pleased to come out with a third woman in the end.” – Alice Kershaw, 3rd Place, Female
Female Race
1st Jenny Yeo – 101:39:50
2nd Laura Swanton-Rouvelin – 109:37:50
3rd Alice Kershaw – 128:13:14
The Summer Spine race saw Phillips cross the line with a time of 76 hours 59 minutes, in what was the second fastest time ever recorded in the event behind Tiaan Erwee’s trailblazing performance last year.
Speaking on his win, Dave Phillips commented: “I can definitely see why it’s called Britain’s Most Brutal race! Although the race was relatively lonely when you’re completely on your own, which means it can be difficult to push yourself at times, it was beautiful, and the volunteers were superb. I strangely don’t feel too bad at the minute, although my feet are in a bit of a state, which is to be expected! I was only able to sleep for around 10 or 15 minutes at a time, so I should really be exhausted now, but it usually takes a couple of days. I don’t have anything else planned currently, so for now, I’m going to enjoy myself and relax a bit!”
The Summer Spine Sprint
Beginning in Hebden Bridge, racers who participate in the Summer Spine Sprint will experience a taste of what to expect in the Challengers and full Spine Race. An illusory 18 hours to complete 46 miles may seem easy on paper, but the physically and psychologically demanding route will test your fitness, concentration and self-sufficiency when under pressure.
The Summer Spine Sprint resulted in victory for Rupert Allison, recording a time of 6 hours 59 minutes, over 2 hours 45 minutes quicker than runner-up Simon Gardner. The women’s event saw Hannah Rickman take the gold with a time of 8 hours 41 minutes, with Debbie Stevens over 40 minutes behind in second place.
The Summer Spine Challenger North
The Summer Spine Challenger North was a new race for the 2023 season. The Challenger North is a ‘non-stop 160-mile race’ from Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm along the Pennine Way. Crossing through The Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and Hadrian’s Wall, this is a demanding race that will prepare you for the Spine’s full glory.
“After a DNF at my last race due to what I can only describe as some internal performance-related stress, I needed to run a race purely to satisfy my love for running, and the Spine Challenger North was the perfect decision.
“The northern section of the Pennine Way, for me, has all of the best bits; the wonder, the wildness and the wow factor. As the younger sibling to the 268-mile Summer Spine which I ran in 2021 and with its smaller, somehow more intimate field, the race felt like it came with less pressure, a little less cost.
“To take the win and then giggle the early hours away with the wonderful volunteers in the Border hotel at the finish, was the best end to any race. And to be promoted to the GB team for the 2023 IAU World Champs the following day, on the back of my heart filling adventure, was the ultimate finale to the dream.” – Eloise Eccles, 1st Place, Female
Male Race
1st Tom Hill – 39:45:55
2nd Jovica Spajic – 39:45:55
3rd Sion Kennaway – 46:33:52
Female Race
1st Eloise Eccles – 56:04:04
2nd Katy McGowan – 66:46:58
3rd Helinä Turtinen – 72:49:06
The Summer Spine Challenger North crown was shared, with Tom Hill and Jovica Spajic crossing the finish line together with a time of 39 hours 45 minutes, while Eloise Eccles blitzed the field in the women’s event with a time of 56 hours 4 minutes, over 10 hours ahead of second-placed Katy McGowan.
The Summer Spine Challenger South
The Summer Spine Challenger South is a 108-mile race stretching from Edale to Hardraw. With 60 hours to complete, racers will have to battle through iconic parts of the Pennine Way, including Kinder Plateau, Malham Cove and Pen-y-Ghent.
The Challenger South has a reputation for tremendous difficulty, and though it isn’t as long, it should be approached as the full Summer Spine. Physically and mentally demanding, the race requires respect, good physical resolve and mental clarity.
Male Race
1st Tim Pigott – 23:02:01
2nd Tim Bradley – 23:38:48
3rd Andrew Morley – 24:39:30
Female Race
1st Lauren Johnson – 30:04:31
2nd Mairead Okeeffe – 32:31:22
3rd Emma Roper – 34:19:27
Speaking on his win, #TeamMontane athlete, Jon Shield, commented: ‘‘’Britain’s Most Brutal’ is definitely the correct slogan for this race, from the heat and humidity early on to the thunderstorm hitting as I went over Pen-y-ghent. The terrain is unforgiving and often exposed making it a savage race, but at the same time such an amazing experience!”