Winter Spine Race

Following the course as a spectator makes a worthwhile trip in its own right.

The main race leaves Edale at 08:00 on January 10, 2027, and runners must reach Kirk Yetholm by 20:00 on January 16—a 156-hour limit, per the 2027 announcement.

Rooms around Edale go fast for the night before the start, so book early.

Supporters can give a single shout of encouragement out on the course, but you can't hand over food or anything else.

Runners can stay at checkpoints for up to 6 hours, while Malham Tarn, Dufton Village Hall and Byrness Village Hall are monitoring points with a 30-minute cap.

Every checkpoint serves hot food, and there's usually something gluten-free.

Drop bags are moved on to the checkpoints, and overseas entrants can pay extra to have one 20kg bag sent to each checkpoint.

That has to be requested several weeks ahead.

The mandatory kit list is long and includes bivouac gear, so read the official list first.

The time limit is strictly enforced.

Getting home is on you: since nobody knows when they'll finish,

the organizers don't book transport and instead hand out taxi numbers, bus and train timetables and car-share contacts.

Edale at the start and Kirk Yetholm at the finish are both tiny villages with few rooms, so staying in a bigger town nearby and traveling in is an option.

Reports from the 2026 race mention a brutal north wind on Cross Fell, so pack a windproof, waterproof shell.