Inside the 2026 Winter Spine Races: Grit, records and real-world endurance
If you want proof that the Winter Spine Race deserves its reputation as Britain’s toughest ultramarathon, look no further than 2026.
Even before a single runner set foot on the Pennine Way, Storm Goretti was already throwing curveballs. Train services to Edale were suspended from Thursday afternoon to Saturday morning, which could have derailed Friday’s Challenger South registration entirely. Instead, a hastily reworked schedule - and a huge amount of flexibility from the race team - meant the event rolled with the punch and carried on. Classic Spine spirit.
What’s remarkable is how little the brutal conditions actually dented finisher rates:
| Race | 2026 | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint South | 73% | 79% |
| Sprint North | 80% | N/A* |
| Challenger South | 55% | 55% |
| Challenger North | 65% | 66% |
| Spine | 57% | 53% |
* 2026 was the inaugural Sprint North.
That tells you everything you need to know about the calibre of athletes lining up for these races. Grit, resilience and sheer bloody-mindedness were on full display across all categories. Of course, the support network - checkpoints, monitoring stations and the people out on the trail - played a massive role too. The Spine isn’t just a race; it’s a moving ecosystem of problem-solving and quiet heroics.
Sprint & Challenger Highlights
The Sprint South saw Sophie Littlefair take the women’s win, with Joe Leadley topping the men’s field. Up north, the inaugural Sprint North pulled in some serious names. Damian Hall and Jon Shield shared victory, while Louise Goddard added the Winter Sprint North crown to her summer title - a proper double.
Challenger South produced standout performances from Sarah Page in the women’s race and Jack Scott in the men’s, who opened up a huge three-and-a-half-hour winning margin. Over on the MRT side, Sarah Perry and John Evason set the bar sky-high, even though course diversions meant the times won’t go down as official records.
The Challenger North was nail-biting in comparison. Harry Firth won the men’s race by just two minutes, while Nicky Spinks repeated her 2025 victory in the women’s race — this time joined by Elaine Bisson in what can only be described as a formidable pairing.
Spine Race Royalty
The main event delivered exactly the kind of drama you’d expect.
Cleo Bishop-Bolt, who famously finished third in the female MRT race last year while carrying a distressed dog over part of the Cheviots, went one better this time and took the win. Many in the Spine community will remember her walking alongside Jon Monks during his Challenger North finish back in 2024 - a lovely thread of continuity in a sport built on shared hardship and mutual support. Huge congratulations also go to Rhys Beddoe, who set a new record for the male MRT race.
Then there’s Anna Troup. Already a Spine legend with three Summer victories, she added a Winter win to her name in 2026, joining a very exclusive club alongside Sabrina Verjee and Eoin Keith. That’s genuine Spine royalty.
On the men’s side, Sebastian Raichon summed up his own win perfectly, likening it to the hare and tortoise fable. A measured, intelligent race on his Spine debut, and a thoroughly deserved victory.
What the Winter Spine Really Shows
What events like the Winter Spine really underline is how critical navigation and decision-making become when fatigue, cold and poor visibility stack the odds against you. Even elite runners are constantly cross-checking routes, managing batteries, and making micro-navigation choices hour after hour. It’s a reminder that GPS isn’t about replacing map and compass skills - it’s about adding resilience and confidence when conditions are at their worst.
Why the Winter Spine Still Matters
What really stood out this year wasn’t just the times or the winners. It was how the event absorbed disruption, bad weather and logistical chaos without losing its soul. The Winter Spine Race remains a masterclass in endurance, organisation and human stubbornness.
For anyone watching from the outside — or quietly planning their own future Spine attempt — 2026 was a reminder that this isn’t just another ultra. It’s a proving ground. And if you’re going to take it on, your preparation, your navigation and your mental resilience all need to be dialled in.
Because the Pennine Way in January doesn’t care who you are.
Navigation, Preparation and the Reality of the Spine
One thing the Winter Spine Race makes absolutely clear is that navigation isn’t optional - it’s fundamental.
Every participant is required to carry, and crucially know how to use, a GPS watch and/or a handheld GPS unit.
When you’re tired, cold, and making decisions in poor visibility at 3am, your ability to trust your kit, manage battery life, and interpret what your device is telling you becomes just as important as your physical fitness.
If you’re thinking about taking on the Winter Spine — or any similar ultra or mountain event - it’s worth getting proper, personalised advice rather than guessing what might work.
You can fill in our Personalised GPS Recommendation form here, and we’ll point you towards a setup that genuinely suits your event, experience level and budget - form here
If you’d like a deeper insight into the Spine from people who’ve lived it, you might also enjoy:
-
Interview with Paul Grundy, winner of the Winter Spine Challenger North
-
The story behind The Spine Race, with founder Phil Hayday-Brown
Both offer a fascinating look at what it really takes - mentally, physically and navigationally to survive Britain’s toughest winter ultra.