Britain’s Most Brutal Endurance Race Returns: The 2026 Montane Winter Spine Race

Returning for its thirteenth edition, the Montane Winter Spine is more than a race, it’s a battle of survival. The 268-mile route crosses some of the most iconic and challenging landscapes in Britain, including the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall, and the Cheviots.

Runners brave snow, rain and wind, with daytime temperatures as low as -15°C. The format of the race is self supported non-stop, meaning participants must carry their own equipment, sleep where they can, and endure the full brunt of the British Winter.

This year a number of well known runners were among the 700 from across the globe, including Damian Hall, John Kelly, Allie Bailey, Jon Shield, Eugeni Rosello Sole, Sophie Grant, Claire Bannwarth, Samantha Lissauer, Chris Cope and Victoria Morris.

The winner of the women’s race is British athlete Anna Troup. Anna raced alongside fellow competitor Finland’s Johanna Antila for the vast majority of the race, testing one another right to the end. Anna, though, won with a time of 106hrs and 19mins, and just 30 minutes sleep. French athlete Sebastien Raichon won the men’s race.

Anna said about her win: “It was really tough. Getting up on Crossfell in the dark was terrifying, I don’t often put myself in those situations but yeah it was really scary.”

Images credit: Clorroe Cam / The Spine Race88