Motivation

Montane Spine Race 2024 Unites Race Legends for an Epic Race on the Trail

'Britain’s Most Brutal' endurance race returns, promising an unparalleled showcase of human perseverance against the mighty Pennine Way. This year’s event marks yet another thrilling chapter in the race’s legacy, drawing 550 ultra running enthusiasts and previous Spine legends from around the world. With its breathtaking landscapes and unforgiving terrain, the Montane Spine Race 2024 is poised to set new standards in extreme sporting achievement. Will this be the year that the Jasmin Paris (GBR) course record be broken?

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Pictured: Overall course record Jasmin Paris at the finish in Kirk Yetholm.

Photo credit: willbaldlygo/Spine Race

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Of the 550 competitors, 170 are taking on the full Montane Winter Spine Race. Among them are 71 repeat offenders, 12 of which have graced the podium before. Six runners are past winners, two of whom are triple winners of this event. Among the great we have Pavel Paloncy (CZE), Eoin Keith (IRE) and Eugeni Rosello Sole (ESP). These three athletes dominated the early years of the Spine Race and will be reunited in Edale on Sunday.

Damian Hall (GBR) and Claire Bannworth (FRA) will be back to defend their 2023 titles. Fighting for the woman’s podium will be Hannah Rickman (GBR), Elaine Bisson (GBR), and the indomitable Nicky Spinks (GBR). Nicky comes to the race having won the Montane Cheviot Goat late last year.

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Pictured: Men's record holder Damian Hall.

Photo credit: willbaldlygo/Spine Race

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First of Damian Hall’s many rivals is Jack Scott (GBR) who came close to winning last year. Amongst the front pack we expect to see previous winner John Kelly (USA), Dougie Zinis (GBR) and Montane athlete James Nobles (GBR), who is joining the Spine for the first time but was the winner of the Dragons Back in 2022 and the Northern Traverse in 2023.

“The 2024 Montane Winter Spine Race is building up to be one heck of a race. With our biggest field ever, it’s brilliant to see so many faces back from the early days on the Spine Race. This race is addictive. It gets you hooked. This could be the year that Jasmin’s record is broken.” Phil Hayday-Brown, Co Owner and Spine Race Director.

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Photo credit: The Spine Race

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RACE TIMINGS 2024:

SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY 2024

Montane Winter Spine Challenger South: Start 08:00 am

Montane Winter Spine MRT Challenge South: Start 08:30 am

Distance: 174km/108 miles

Time Limit: 60hrs

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Montane Winter Spine Sprint: Start 12:00 noon

Distance: 46 miles

Time Limit: 18hrs

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SUNDAY 14TH JANUARY 2024

Montane Winter Spine: Start 08:00 am

Distance: 430km/268 miles

Time limit: 168hrs

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MONDAY 15TH JANUARY 2024

Montane Winter Spine Challenger North: Start 8:00 am

Montane Winter Spine MRT Challenge North: Start 08:00 am

Distance: 257km/160 miles

Time Limit: 108hrs

Full details of the races can be found here

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RACE TRACKING AND LEADERBOARDS:

The Montane Winter Spine Race

The Montane Winter Spine Challenger South

The Montane Winter Spine Sprint

The Montane Winter Spine Challenger North

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FACTS AND STATS ABOUT THE MONTANE WINTER SPINE RACE

For over ten years, the Spine Race has established itself as one of the world’s toughest endurance races. The race now has a winter and a summer edition. Both events are formed around a seven-day, non-stop, ultramarathon along the 268-mile (431km) Pennine Way National Trail starting from Edale in Derbyshire up to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. The course record of 83 hrs 12 mins 23 secs set by Jasmin Paris in 2019 still stands.

The inaugural Spine Race took place in 2012, with only 11 entrants, of which three ultimately crossed the finish line in Kirk Yetholm, Scotland. This January, 550 runners from around the world will line up at the start of our six winter races (the 268-mile Spine Race, the 160-mile Challenger North, the 108-mile Challenger South, the 46-mile Sprint, the 160-mile MRT Challenge North and the 108-mile MRT Challenge South).

All Spine Race events are self-sufficient, meaning that all runners carry their own food, clothing, medical supplies, and sleep system. The route is not marked, runners must navigate the course. No planned outside support is allowed and pacers are not permitted.

Past Results and Course Records can be found here

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