Races
Summer Spine
Edale to Kirk Yetholm on the Pennine Way. Peat, limestone pavement, and Cross Fell in fog.
268 mi+10,438 ft-11,987 ft156 hours408 ft to 2,773 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookpoint to pointunsupported5 checkpointsJune
Distance268 mi
Gain+10,438 ft
Loss-11,987 ft
Altitude408 ft to 2,773 ft
Technicality5/10
Air35°F to 75°F
- Start1,956 ft
- High2,773 ft
- Low408 ft
- Finish408 ft
Terrain
Field, 2026 · 5-year samplescraped
Starters156
Finish rate100%
Geometryderived
Steepest drop830 ft-8.4% over 1.9 mi
Night miles103 misunset near 19:00 local
Weather at the cruxderived
At hour 14 of race, feels like 36 C (97 F). 39 percent chance of rain.Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 14 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 36 C / 97 F.
Course records
Men70:46:50Tiaan Erwee
Women78:57:49Anna Troup
The cruxCross Fell and The Great Dun Fell (near mile 174)
Course DNA
The Course
Summer Spine runs 268 mi through Edale to Kirk Yetholm, United Kingdom. +10,438 ft gain and -11,987 ft loss. Surfaces skew 50% trail / 30% jeep / 20% paved. Cross Fell and The Great Dun Fell. High point near 2,773 ft. Low near 408 ft. June temps run 35°F to 75°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 134.
The Work
Train for 10,438 feet of climbing across 268 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 156 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 174.
Kit
June in Edale to Kirk Yetholm, United Kingdom: plan for 35°F to 75°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 156 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 67. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 50% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 134.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 67. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 134. Cross Fell and The Great Dun Fell near mile 174 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 88 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Summer Spine finish lines.
Winner: Ed Payne, 82:28:07.
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Sources (2)
- Field stats (2026): https://results.opentracking.co.uk/event/sspine2026
- Course record (M): https://www.thespinerace.com/summer-spine-race-results/