{"id":680508,"date":"2026-01-07T18:52:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T18:52:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/680508\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T18:52:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T18:52:22","slug":"montane-winter-spine-race-2026-how-to-dot-watch-and-follow-live-whos-racing-and-full-preview-race-previews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/680508\/","title":{"rendered":"Montane Winter Spine Race 2026: How to dot watch and follow live, who’s racing and full preview | Race Previews"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Montane Winter Spine<\/a> is billed as Britain\u2019s \u2018most brutal race\u2019 \u2013 an annual unsupported ultramarathon held each winter (there is also a summer version).<\/p>\n

It only began in 2012 when there were just 11 starters \u2013 and three finishers.<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s edition saw an emotional win in the women\u2019s race for Lucy Gossage, while it was fourth time \u2018lucky\u2019 for Kim Collison in the men\u2019s after a brilliant wire-to-wire success.<\/p>\n

\"LucyLucy Gossage celebrates her 2025 win [Photo credit: Wild Aperture Photography \/ The Spine Race]That event began with lots snow on the ground from the start at Edale in the Peak District and and if the forecast is correct then there could be more of the same this year.<\/p>\n

The race is a continuous one and the competitors only sleep when they choose to as they navigate the 268 miles to Kirk Yetholm on the English-Scottish border.<\/p>\n

Read on for our full preview and click here<\/strong><\/a> if you are interested in taking part in the future as we go through all the options, kit requirements and much more\u2026<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s everything you need to know about the 2026 version\u2026<\/p>\n

Follow LIVE<\/p>\n

The Winter Spine Race 2026 starts at 0800 UK time on Sunday, January 12th.<\/p>\n

The UK is currently in the middle of a cold snap \u2013 and Storm Goretti is on its way too, prompting organisers to say: \u201cThe weather is looking suitably \u2018Spiney\u2019 \ud83e\uddca\u201d<\/p>\n

The temperature is forecast to hover around freezing point for all of Sunday, getting up to no higher than 3 degrees Celsius on Monday and 4 degrees on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

With snow around it might actually be less difficult for competitors if the ground mostly stays frozen rather than becomes boggy.<\/p>\n

They have exactly a week to complete the course, though the record-breaking time (in 2024) saw winner Jack Scott (who will tackle the Challenger South this time around) take not much than three days.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s already been announced that from 2027 onwards it will become even tougher, with the time limit reduced by 12 hours to six-and-a-half days.<\/p>\n

Each competitor carries a GPS tracking device, which allows race organisers to monitor their progress and to ensure every competitor stays safe. The GPS device also allows fans to follow the race online. \u2018Dot watchers\u2019 can follow the progress of the runners pretty much in real time by tracking those GPS signals via this link<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You can follow how the race unfolds with our detailed updates from Sunday onwards below\u2026<\/p>\n

The Spine Race<\/p>\n

start list<\/p>\n

Click here<\/strong><\/a> for the full \u2013 and latest \u2013 roster for this year\u2019s race.<\/p>\n

Notable runners<\/p>\n

Route<\/p>\n

Participants start the 268 miles (431km) course \u2013 which includes 10,732 metres of elevation gain, more than Mt Everest \u2013 in Edale in the Peak District.<\/p>\n

From here, they then race along the Pennine Way National Trail up through the North of England before finishing in Kirk Yetholm on the English-Scottish border.<\/p>\n

The trail crosses some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of England, with competitors following the Pennine Way through the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park and Hadrian\u2019s Wall to name a few.<\/p>\n

Over the 268-mile course, participants will experience every type of terrain the North of England has to offer, as well as some of its famously unfavourable winter weather.<\/p>\n

And watch out for weather-enforced diversions as organisers put runner safety first.<\/p>\n

Analysis<\/p>\n

No doubt about the headline name on the men\u2019s side \u2013 that\u2019s ultrarunning legend John Kelly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The American may be best known for his Barkley Marathon exploits but he\u2019s also inextricably linked with the Pennine Way.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s a FKT (fastest known time) holder, swapping it with \u2018fr-enemy\u2019 Damian Hall and he has also taken part in the Winter Spine Race three times. He won first time up in 2020 but has been frustrated in the last couple of years.<\/p>\n

\"johnJohn Kelly [Photo credit: Montane Winter Spine Race]He was derailed by a sprained ankle in 2024 (before pitching in with the support team) and then last year struggled to stay awake from relatively early on but still made it to the finish in fourth place despite incurring a penalty (and a big mental hit) for a missed diversion.<\/p>\n

For the first time ever this year he\u2019s got Western States \u2013 arguably the biggest race Stateside \u2013 to look forward to having finally been drawn out of the lottery last month. But for now all eyes are on the Spine.<\/p>\n

His two biggest challengers would appear to be Britain\u2019s James Nobles<\/strong> and Frenchman S\u00e9bastien Raichon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

No one looked to be going better than Nobles on his debut in the record-breaking 2024 edition as he ran alongside eventual winner Jack Scott and Hall.<\/p>\n

But he made an untimely exit<\/a> around halfway because of injury and will be relishing tackling some unfinished business.<\/p>\n

Raichon meanwhile makes his Spine Race debut but adventure racers (think Eoin Keith and Pavel Paloncy, who have six wins between them) have thrived at this event so he\u2019s definitely one to watch.<\/p>\n

He made a great impression at the Barkley Marathons and relishes ultra-long tests as shown by his multiple victories at the 450 km Tor des Glaciers.<\/p>\n

On the women\u2019s side it\u2019s all eyes on Raichon\u2019s compatriot Claire Bannwarth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

She was in a class of her own at the Spine Race in both 2023 and 2024 and jumps off this year\u2019s start list.<\/p>\n

Bannwarth missed the race last year though did head to the Barkley Marathons for the first time but found the going tough in the notoriously quirky event.<\/p>\n

If she\u2019s in form then she\u2019s the one to beat but there are plenty of interesting contenders up against her.<\/p>\n

Alice Kershaw<\/strong> was the winner of the 108-mile Winter Spine Challenger South 12 months ago from Edale to Hardraw.<\/p>\n

She came second in that race in 2023 and added to her two excellent Winter Sprint results, she has now featured on a Spine Race podium no fewer than four times \u2013 could it be five now that she tackles the big one?<\/p>\n

And it will be fascinating to see how Sophie Grant<\/strong> fares on what is her Spine Race debut. Her ultrarunning CV is impressive but, more importantly, anyone who follows her on Instagram<\/a> will be well aware of what has been an emotional and far more challenging \u2018off course\u2019 journey.<\/p>\n

The more snow and the more testing the race is, the better for the New Zealander who has done much of her running in the UK.<\/p>\n

Record time and past winners<\/p>\n

Jack Scott\u2019s display in 2024 set a new men\u2019s and overall record with a staggering time of 72 hours 55 minutes and 5 seconds.<\/p>\n

That beat the previous best of 83:12:13, set by Jasmin Paris in 2019, which still stands as the women\u2019s record.<\/p>\n

Irish raider Eoin Keith (2016, 2019 and 2019) and Czech adventurer Pavel Paloncy (2014, 2015 and 2018) have the most Spine Race titles.<\/p>\n

2025 \u2013 Kim Collison<\/a> \/ Lucy Gossage<\/a><\/p>\n

2024 \u2013 Jack Scott \/ Claire Bannwarth<\/p>\n

2023 \u2013 Damian Hall \/ Claire Bannwarth<\/p>\n

2022 \u2013 Eoin Keith \/ Debbie Martin-Consani<\/p>\n

2021 \u2013 not run due to COVID<\/p>\n

2020 \u2013 John Kelly \/ Sabrina Verjee<\/p>\n

2019 \u2013 Eoin Keith \/ Jasmin Paris* (*overall winner too)<\/p>\n

2018 \u2013 Pavel Paloncy \/ Carol Morgan<\/p>\n

2017 \u2013 Tom Hollins \/ Carol Morgan<\/p>\n

2016 \u2013 Eoin Keith \/ Anna Buckingham<\/p>\n

2015 \u2013 Pavel Paloncy \/ Beth Pascall<\/p>\n

2014 \u2013 Pavel Paloncy \/ Debbie Brupbacher<\/p>\n

2013 \u2013 Eugeni Rosell\u00f3 Sole \/ Annabel Gates<\/p>\n

(2012 was the first year \u2013 just three finished from 11 starters)<\/p>\n

\"DamianDamian Hall and Jack Scott are both former winners [Photo Credit \u2013 Montane Winter Spine Race]\u00a0<\/p>\n

Past winners<\/p>\n

Women<\/p>\n

Men<\/p>\n

2012<\/p>\n

Claire Bannwarth<\/p>\n

152:23:00<\/p>\n

\"Jonathan<\/p>\n

Written by<\/p>\n

Jonathan Turner<\/p>\n

Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

YOu may also like<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Damian<\/a><\/p>\n

7 January 2026<\/p>\n

Montane Winter Spine Races \u2013 ultimate guide for routes, kit, tips and advice<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Hannah<\/a><\/p>\n

7 January 2026<\/p>\n

It\u2019s almost Spine time and the weather is looking suitably \u2018Spiney\u2019 for Britain\u2019s \u2018most brutal race\u2019<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"John<\/a><\/p>\n

16 July 2025<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve never seen those numbers in my life\u2019 \u2013 John Kelly stunned by HR data from Appalachian Trail attempt<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Jack<\/a><\/p>\n

15 July 2025<\/p>\n

From heartbreak in the desert to an international call-up \u2013 Jack Scott finds \u2018redemption\u2019<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"John<\/a><\/p>\n

30 June 2025<\/p>\n

John Kelly\u2019s Appalachian Trail FKT attempt is over \u2013 but the bigger goal is within sight<\/p>\n