The Spine Race is an event devised by Arctic expedition guides Scott Gilmour and Phil Hayday-Brown in 2012. It follows the Pennine Way National Trail and begins at Edale in Derbyshire, ending at Kirk Yetholm in Scotland.
This year’s race challenge began on Saturday, January 14. Our photographer, Tony Johnson, caught up with the competitors as they reached West Yorkshire. On Sunday, he caught up once again near Masham, North Yorkshire.
Competitors will continue up through the Dales, passing through Hawes, before continuing on into the North Pennines. The challenge finishes on January 22nd.
Competitors will continue up through the Dales, passing through Hawes, before continuing on into the North Pennines. The challenge finishes on January 22nd.
![Competitors pass the landmark Framing the Landscape by Yorkshire Artist Ashley at Wessenden Head Moor near Meltham, West Yorkshire.](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmI0YmNlNTFjLWU4ZDgtNDZhMS04YTE4LWNhOWZiNmZkNTNhZDo1OWFiNTAwOC02OTIzLTRjMzMtYmQzZC04YzE0ZDFkNmI1Mzg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Montane Spine Race 2023
Competitors pass the landmark Framing the Landscape by Yorkshire Artist Ashley at Wessenden Head Moor near Meltham, West Yorkshire. Photo: Tony Johnson
![Montane Spine Race 2023.](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjVkNWI2MDI5LTFmYzQtNGY3My05ZTk2LTljN2U1YTY3NGU3NToyZmI3ZDBiZS00NTVhLTQ4MzQtYTRhYS0xZTE5NTc3ZjlkZjU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
![The ultramarathon is a test of endurance.](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjlmMzg0NTNiLTA2NTgtNDAwYy04NGE4LTAzN2Y2NzU5YjViMjowOTAzYzUyNS02MDMzLTQ4NTMtYmQyMi0yZWExZWEwOTNiZGY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
![Lewis James tackles the limestone pavement at top of Malham Cove.](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmUxZTczZTE4LTUwNGQtNDJiOS05NzRiLWE3MjdhOTI0NDgwYzo1ZmE5ZDc4Yi00NGY2LTRmYzEtYWU3NC00N2FlM2QzNWJlZWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Montane Spine Race 2023
Lewis James tackles the limestone pavement at top of Malham Cove. Photo: Tony Johnson