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Winter Spine Race 2027

Edale Village Hall, UK, 9 Jan 2027

This race follows the Pennine Way from Edale to Kirk Yetholm in midwinter, crossing the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall and the Cheviots. The organiser describes an exposed non-stop expedition-style challenge where deep snow, storm-force winds and driving rain are all possible. It is the full Winter Spine, intended to test physical resilience and mental fortitude on Britain’s most demanding national trail.

2 distances from 70 to 423 km, up to 11,465 m of climb.

Distances

• Montane Winter Spine Sprint South: 70 km, 1870 m of climb, highest point 634 m, 9 Jan 2027.
  A non-stop 46-mile winter ultramarathon on the Pennine Way, starting in Edale, Derbyshire and finishing at Hebden Bridge. The route covers a demanding southern section of the Pennine Way with exposed moorland, technical trail, winter darkness and self-sufficient navigation. The official 2027 page lists 2017 m ascent, 2033 m descent, an 18-hour time limit, and a finish deadline of 06:00 on 10 January 2027.

  Montane Winter Spine Sprint South cut-off times

  • Finish, 70.1 km: 06:00, day 2

  Montane Winter Spine Sprint South equipment

  • Backup power bank/cables appropriate for phone and GPS/headtorch devices (recommended)
  • Compass suitable for mountain navigation (recommended)
  • Cooking pot/mug (recommended)
  • Dry bags or waterproof pack liner (recommended)
  • Eating utensil/spork (recommended)
  • Emergency shelter/bivvy bag (recommended)
  • Eye protection/goggles for severe winter weather (recommended)
  • First aid kit including blister care and personal medication (recommended)
  • Fuel for stove (recommended)
  • Gloves and/or mitts suitable for winter conditions (recommended)
  • GPS device or GPS-capable watch/handheld with correct route loaded (recommended)
  • Ice traction aids such as spikes/coils/microspikes if required by conditions/kit list (recommended)
  • Ignition device/lighter/matches (recommended)
  • Map covering the route, e.g. Pennine Way South mapping (recommended)
  • Mobile phone in waterproof protection (recommended)
  • Neck gaiter/buff (recommended)
  • Personal race food; public report cites 1500 kcal as a representative required amount, but verify current official PDF (recommended)
  • Primary headtorch (recommended)
  • Race vest/pack large enough for full winter mandatory kit (recommended)
  • Sleeping bag meeting race comfort/safety requirements (recommended)
  • Sleeping mat (recommended)
  • Spare base-layer bottoms (recommended)
  • Spare base-layer top (recommended)
  • Spare batteries or charging capacity for lights (recommended)
  • Spare headtorch or spare lighting (recommended)
  • Spare socks (recommended)
  • Stove (recommended)
  • Toilet kit/trowel/waste bags as required (recommended)
  • Trail shoes/boots appropriate for winter Pennine Way conditions (recommended)
  • Warm hat (recommended)
  • Warm mid-layer or insulated jacket (recommended)
  • Water bottles/flasks/bladder with sufficient capacity for long self-supported sections (recommended)
  • Waterproof bivvy/shelter component (recommended)
  • waterproof jacket with hood (recommended)
  • Waterproof trousers (recommended)
  • whistle (recommended)
• Montane Winter Spine Full: 423 km, 11465 m of climb, highest point 893 m, 10 Jan 2027.
  This race follows the Pennine Way from Edale to Kirk Yetholm in midwinter, crossing the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall and the Cheviots. The organiser describes an exposed non-stop expedition-style challenge where deep snow, storm-force winds and driving rain are all possible. It is the full Winter Spine, intended to test physical resilience and mental fortitude on Britain’s most demanding national trail.

  Montane Winter Spine Full cut-off times

  • Finish, 422.7 km: 20:00, day 7

  Montane Winter Spine Full equipment

  • Appropriate footwear (mandatory)
  • Backpack or race pack large enough for full mandatory kit (mandatory)
  • Clear safety goggles with strap (mandatory)
  • Compass (mandatory)
  • Cooking pot or solid mug (mandatory)
  • Eating utensil (mandatory)
  • Emergency food of at least 1,500 calories (mandatory)
  • Fuel for stove (mandatory)
  • gloves (mandatory)
  • GPS device loaded with the route (mandatory)
  • Headtorch (mandatory)
  • Ice spikes or traction cleats (mandatory)
  • Insulated jacket or cold-weather mid layer (mandatory)
  • Lighter or ignition source (mandatory)
  • Mobile phone in waterproof protection (mandatory)
  • Neck warmer or buff (mandatory)
  • Pennine Way maps, north and south sections (mandatory)
  • Personal first aid kit including scissors as specified by race medical team (mandatory)
  • Rear red LED light (mandatory)
  • Safety whistle (mandatory)
  • Sleeping bag suitable for sub-zero or 0°C conditions (mandatory)
  • Sleeping mat (mandatory)
  • Spare base layer bottoms (mandatory)
  • Spare headtorch batteries or power source (mandatory)
  • Spare long-sleeve base layer top (mandatory)
  • Spare socks (mandatory)
  • Stove (mandatory)
  • Trowel or toilet kit (mandatory)
  • Warm hat (mandatory)
  • Water-carrying capacity of at least 2 litres (mandatory)
  • Waterproof bivvy bag (mandatory)
  • Waterproof insulated gloves or mitts (mandatory)
  • Waterproof jacket (mandatory)
  • Waterproof pack liner or dry bags (mandatory)
  • Waterproof trousers (mandatory)
  • Additional gloves or mitts for very cold conditions (recommended)
  • Additional warm waterproof layers for severe winter conditions (recommended)
  • Power bank and charging cables (recommended)
  • Spare shoes and clothing in drop bag where permitted (recommended)
  • Walking/running poles (recommended)

Other editions

• Winter Spine Race 2026, 11 Jan 2026: 424K (424 km, 10985 m of climb, highest point 893 m).