Summer Spine Races 2025

Your Complete Guide to Britain’s Most Brutal Ultra – with GPS Training

Each June, hundreds of ultra runners take on a challenge that’s earned the title “Britain’s Most Brutal” — the Montane Summer Spine Race. Following the rugged line of the Pennine Way, this series of non-stop races is a true test of navigation, endurance and resolve.

At GPS Training, we’re proud to support a growing number of participants in this year’s Spine events. Whether they’re tackling the full 268-mile route or a shorter Spine Sprint, one thing is clear: navigation is everything.

Montana Spine competitors purchased from GPS Training

1. Steve Marshall - GPSMap67 from us also had 1 to 1 - Full Spine, Race number - 195
2. John Smith - GPSMAP67 bought from us -  Full Spine, Race number - 238
- Live tracking for Montane Summer Spine Race 2025 - more here

2. Nicola Macdonald - GPSMap67i - Challenger North - Race number - 559
3. Paul Freeman - GPSMap66sr - Challenger North - Race number - 532
4. Paul Yeadon - Fenix 8 - Challenger North - Race number 607
- Live tracking for Montane Summer Challenger North 2025 - more here

5. Liz Tobin - GPSMap67 - GPSMap67i from us + 1 to 1 Zoom - Southern Ch - Race number - 441
- Live tracking for Montane Summer Challenger South 2025 - more here

6. Tom Bowers - Suunto Race from us + 1 to 1 Zoom - Northern Sprint Race number - 1004
- Live tracking for Montane Northern Sprint 2025 - more here

Let’s explore what makes the Summer Spine such a legend — and what runners need to know.

🧭 Full Summer Spine Race — “Britain’s Most Brutal”

This is the ultimate test. A non-stop, 268-mile journey from Edale to Kirk Yetholm, following the full length of the Pennine Way. Participants must battle sleep deprivation, unpredictable weather, and punishing terrain with a 156-hour time limit to finish.

Race Details

• Start: Edale, Derbyshire

• Start Time: 08:00, 15th June 2025

• Distance: 268 miles

• Time Limit: 156 hours

• Finish: Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders

• Finish Time: 20:00, 21st June 2025

• Total Ascent: 10,732 metres

• Total Descent: 10,941 metres

• Daytime Temperatures: 5°C to 25°C

• Night-time Temperatures: 0°C to 10°C

• Daylight Hours: 19 hours

A truly epic, non-stop event, the Full Spine demands not just elite fitness, but exceptional navigation skills, particularly in the northern stretches and through the night.

🏞️ Spine Challenger South – Edale to Hardraw (108 miles)

The Challenger South is a serious event in its own right, covering 108 miles from Edale to Hardraw. It includes iconic terrain such as Kinder Scout, Malham Cove, and Pen-y-Ghent — with 60 hours to complete the course.

Race Details

• Start: Edale, Derbyshire

• Start Time: 08:00, 14th June 2025

• Distance: 108 miles

• Time Limit: 60 hours

• Finish: Hardraw, North Yorkshire

• Finish Time: 20:00, 16th June 2025

• Total Ascent: 5,451 metres

• Total Descent: 5,449 metres

This section of the Pennine Way is technical, remote, and unrelenting — a serious step up from a standard ultra marathon.

⛰️ Spine Challenger North – Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm (160 miles)

This 160-mile race picks up where the Challenger South ends, taking runners across Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland National Park, and into the Cheviots, finishing at Kirk Yetholm. It’s wild, beautiful, and utterly unforgiving.

Race Details

• Start: Hardraw, North Yorkshire

• Start Time: 08:00, 16th June 2025

• Distance: 160 miles

• Time Limit: 90 hours

• Finish: Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders

• Finish Time: 02:00, 20th June 2025

• Total Ascent: 5,290 metres

• Total Descent: 5,591 metres

With revised cut-off times and a tight limit, this race tests runners not just physically, but mentally. Fatigue and navigation errors are common — making a reliable GPS device essential.

🏃 Spine Sprint South – Edale to Hebden Bridge (46 miles)

A shorter format that’s no less intense. This 46-mile race from Edale to Hebden Bridge offers a taste of Spine terrain and navigation — with just 18 hours to complete it.

Race Details

• Start: Edale, Derbyshire

• Start Time: 12:00, 14th June 2025

• Distance: 46 miles

• Time Limit: 18 hours

• Finish: Hebden Bridge, North Yorkshire

• Finish Time: 06:00, 15th June 2025

• Total Ascent: 2,017 metres

• Total Descent: 2,033 metres

This race is ideal for athletes preparing for longer Spine events, but don’t underestimate it — the route is technical, remote, and requires strong navigation skills.

🏃 Spine Sprint North – Brown Rigg to Kirk Yetholm (43 miles)

A new format for those keen to experience the northern terrain of the Spine without going ultra. This 43-mile sprint from Brown Rigg to Kirk Yetholm includes remote, mountainous trails and must be completed in 18 hours.

Race Details

• Start: Brown Rigg

• Start Time: 12:00, 17th June 2025

• Distance: 43 miles

• Time Limit: 18 hours

• Finish: Kirk Yetholm

• Finish Time: 06:00, 18th June 2025

• Total Ascent: 1,759 metres

• Total Descent: 1,767 metres

Designed to simulate the intensity of the main Spine events in a more compact form, this race still requires a high level of self-sufficiency and concentration.

Why GPS Navigation is Critical on the Spine

In all Spine races, GPS is not optional — it’s a vital survival tool. The Pennine Way is poorly waymarked in places, often indistinct, and fog, rain or darkness can make paper maps difficult to use.

At GPS Training, we provide:

• Spine-approved GPS units and watches

• Preloaded OS mapping for the full Pennine Way

• Training videos and guides to help you use your device under pressure

• Advice on power backup, recharging strategies, and battery management

Many Spine racers come to us with questions — and leave with a navigation setup they can trust in the worst of conditions.

Supporting Our Customers Every Step of the Way

We’re thrilled to be supporting numerous GPS Training customers taking part in the Summer Spine 2025 — across all event formats.

We’ll be following their progress and cheering them on as they push through bogs, hills and sleepless nights to achieve something extraordinary.

👉 Thinking of entering the Spine — or training for your next ultra?
Explore GPS units trusted by Spine athletes →
Or contact us for personalised advice on navigation, mapping, and Spine-ready kit.

GPS Training: Be ready. Stay on track. Go the distance.


Further reading 

1. Spine Challenger Race - kit list

2. Spine Challenger North 2024 - Jon's story