It’s almost Spine time and the weather is looking suitably ‘Spiney’ for Britain’s ‘most brutal race’

It’s one of the toughest ultrarunning challenges in the world – and this year’s edition of the Montane Winter Spine Race looks set to have the weather to match.

It’s a non-stop 268-mile route up the Pennine Way, starting in Edale in England’s Peak District at 0800 UK time on Sunday, January 11th and heading to Kirk Yetholm on the English-Scottish border.

And there are currently a number of Met Office weather warnings in force across the UK, which is in the middle of a cold snap.

Many schools have been closed in Scotland, which has borne the brunt of the bad weather so far, but next on the agenda is the south of England ahead of Storm Goretti’s arrival on Thursday.

Heavy snow forecast

And while the Spine Race is in the northern half of England, it looks unlikely to escape unscathed.

Indeed on Wednesday, organisers posted the following update to those taking part: “It’s almost Spine time and the weather is looking suitably ‘Spiney’ 🧊

“For all runners and supporters travelling into the start line, please take this into consideration.

“Heavy Snow is forecast on Thursday evening in Edale and the surrounding areas, giving way to sleet on Friday. Saturday looks to be a dry day at this stage with light snow on Sunday.

“Stay safe, and we’ll see you on the start line!”

From Thursday night onwards in Edale the temperature isn’t forecast to rise above 2 degrees Celsius, with lows of -5.

John Kelly back for more

The runners who are likely to have it toughest of all are those in the Spine Challenger South, just as they did 12 months ago.

They usually set off exactly 24 hours before but a further update from organisers has now brought their start time back a couple of hours to 1000 on Saturday on account of likely delays with runners arriving for registration.

They will still be the ones who end up making the first tracks if there’s heavy snow to negotiate. Mark Darbyshire, one of the favourites last year, was forced to retire early on after a monumental effort – though he’s back for more this week.

The full Spine Race meanwhile is also set to welcome back two greats, both former winners.

John Kelly, an ultrarunning legend and FKT (fastest known time) holder for the Pennine Way, won the event in 2020 and definitely jets in from the USA.

And France’s Claire Bannwarth is poised to try and add to her 2023 and 2024 titles in the women’s race.