This is an aspirational race on our bucket list and no guarantee of a place
DATES: January 2023
COUNTRY: England
DISCIPLINES: Trek/Run, Navigation
The Montane Spine Race is widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest endurance races. A truly epic challenge that will test your physical resilience and mental fortitude.
Before racing non-stop along the most iconic trail in the UK, we have applied to compete in the Challenger.
The MONTANE® Spine® Challenger is a non-stop, 108 mile race between Edale and Hawes with a time limit of 60hrs. This challenging and technical section of the Pennine Way is a physically and psychologically demanding route that demands concentration, good physical fitness, resolve and respect. The MONTANE® Spine® Challenger is a notoriously difficult event in its own right and should be considered as having a similar degree of difficulty as the longer MONTANE® Spine® Race.
From appearances alone 60 hours looks like ample time to complete this course. However, appearances can be deceptive. The rugged and very technical nature of this race is mentally taxing, as you have to constantly be aware of foot placement in icy conditions, weather systems, navigation, available daylight and self-management.
In all of the previous editions of the race competitors have faced at least one of (if not multiples of) extreme weather, storm force winds, snow, extreme ice, bogs, fog, hail, mud and almost anything else you can think of!
There is very little hand holding on this race. We are expected to travel with a degree of self-sufficiency and skill which sets this race apart from others.