Got your mandatory kit sorted?
Browse the ultra runners' kit list for all your essential gear.
Montane Winter Spine - Sprint North Ultra
Do not be fooled by the word "Sprint". The Montane Winter Spine Sprint North is a brutal, non-stop 43 mile ultra marathon across the final, most mountainous section of the iconic Pennine Way. It is a terrifyingly beautiful introduction to the notorious Spine Race series.
Organised by the team behind "Britain’s Most Brutal" race, the Winter Spine Sprint North offers runners a gateway into the Spine family. Rather than tackling the entire 268 mile Winter Spine race, this event condenses the suffering and the spectacular scenery into a single 43 mile push. However, taking place in the dead of January, the elements will ensure those 43 miles feel infinitely longer.
Course
Starting at Brown Rigg in Northumberland, the route follows the Pennine Way northwards, culminating at the traditional end of the national trail: the village green in Kirk Yetholm, Scotland.
This section of the trail is arguably the most remote and physically demanding. You will be crossing the Cheviot Hills, a famously exposed, undulating, and boggy ridgeline. The route features roughly 1,759m (5,770 ft) of total ascent.
What makes this race truly challenging is the environment. You will be racing in January, where daytime temperatures hover around 0°C to 10°C, and night-time temperatures can easily plummet to -10°C (with windchill making it feel significantly colder). With only around 8 hours of daylight, the vast majority of your race will be spent navigating the freezing, technical terrain by the beam of your head torch.
The Spine Ethos: Self-Sufficiency
The Spine races are strictly unsupported.
- No Outside Help: You cannot have a private support vehicle or a pacing team. You must carry your own gear, manage your own nutrition, and solve your own problems.
- Public Sanctuaries: You are permitted to use public cafes and pubs along the route for sustenance and shelter, provided they are open!
- Navigation: While it follows a national trail, winter weather on the Cheviots can obscure paths and reduce visibility to zero. Excellent winter mountain navigation skills are absolutely mandatory.
This is not a beginner-friendly event. To enter, you must be at least 21 years old and have prior experience in winter ultra-marathons or mountain marathons. Adventure racing or fell running experience with strong winter navigational elements is highly favoured during the application process.
Why Run the Winter Spine Sprint North?
It is the ultimate stepping stone. If you have dreamed of taking on the full 268 mile Spine Race but want to test your physical and mental resilience in winter mountain conditions first, this is your arena. 18 hours might sound like plenty of time for 43 miles, but in the dark, freezing bogs of the Cheviots, you will be fighting for every single minute. For full race details, including mandatory kit and registration info, please visit the official Spine race website.
