SUMMER SPINE CHALLENGER NORTH RACE RULE UPDATE:

As the Montane Spine Race continues to evolve, we regularly monitor and review race rules and regulations.

When developing the Challenger North we employed the cut offs used in the full spine as a starting point for the inaugural event. After an analysis of the race this year we find that those in the Challenger North are understandably fresher, so making them quicker, hence the change.

After careful consideration, the summer 2024 cut-offs have been reduced by six hours and the race time limit will be 90 hours. The cut off times will be as follows:

Checkpoint 1: 18 hours

Checkpoint 2: 44 hours

Checkpoint 3: 70 hours

Checkpoint 3.5: 76 hours

Finish: 90 hours

To put these timings into context, the new cut-offs would have impacted on just Seven athletes at the finish line (No one was affected at any of the main CPs and the five over the cut-off at the 3.5 monitoring station were all within about 30 minutes). At the finish, two were only 9 minutes over, five between three and four hours. 82% of participants finished. The new cut-offs would reduce this to 61% which is in line with the Challenger South and full Spine.

These are not changes we have made lightly but feel the new times present an appropriate challenge and one we will continue to monitor.

We would always recommend that every runner purchases appropriate insurance to cover your participation in a Montane Spine event and the costs of your entry fee, should you not be able to take part.

The race has enormous infrastructure costs, most of which are fixed and committed up to twelve months in advance, which unfortunately prevents the option of a full refund. We want to be as fair as possible though, so while your entry fee includes a non-refundable deposit, if you notify us 100 days before the race, you will get a partial refund. Please read the T&Cs before you make your payment.

At each of the check points (Middleton-in-Teesdale, Alston and Bellingham) Spiners are offered hot meals (both a dinner-type meal, such as pasta, as well as porridge), hot drinks, somewhere to sleep (we recommend ear plugs and sleeping masks), toilets, showers (Alston and Bellingham), medical staff, weather updates, race information and ample encouragement from friendly, helpful volunteers.

The Spine races are unsupported events. But you are welcome to utilise cafes and pubs along the route for sustenance and shelter. There’s some history of Spiners being offered sustenance by locals, which is a nice touch and very difficult to police, so we deem that to be fine. What’s not okay though is pacing, receiving planned support or having a private support vehicle follow your progress.

The total cost for The Montane Summer Spine Challenger North is £650.

To secure your place, you can either pay in full when you enter or pay a deposit of £260. The remaining £390 will be due 100 days before race start. See below for the payment schedule.

Payments can be made online via your debit or credit card.