ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT | GARETH JONES

About the Race: The Montane Winter Spine

The Montane Winter Spine is widely regarded as Britain’s Most Brutal endurance race and for good reason.

Starting in Edale, Derbyshire, the race follows the full length of the Pennine Way, finishing 268 miles later in Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders. Athletes have 168 hours to complete the route, contending with over 10,700 metres of ascent, deep winter conditions, and long stretches of total self-sufficiency.

Run in January, the Spine exposes competitors to the full intensity of a British winter:

Daytime temperatures ranging from 0–10°C

Night-time lows down to -10°C

Snow, ice, driving rain, and storm-force winds

Just 8 hours of daylight at best

But the Spine isn’t simply a long race, it’s a continuous problem-solving exercise. Navigation, foot care, sleep management, fuelling, layering, and decision-making all matter as much as fitness. Many experienced ultra runners fail not because they’re unfit, but because the margin for error is so small.

This is not a beginner-friendly event. Entry requires proven experience over long distances in harsh terrain, and even then, finishing is never guaranteed.

For those who make it to the start line, the Spine is less about speed and more about resilience, staying awake, staying warm, staying fed, and making good decisions when fatigue and isolation take hold.

It’s into this environment that Gareth Jones steps in January.

The Pull of the Spine

What made you choose the Spine?
Because it scares me in the right way. It demands honesty, and I never believed I’d attempt something like this.

How long has it been on your radar?
Years. I waited until I felt ready to respect it — and luckily my wife’s fast fingers got me a place, so I owe it all to her.

What would finishing mean to you?
Staying true to myself when everything gets uncomfortable, and showing my girls that anything is possible.

When did you know you were ready to commit?
When I stopped looking for reassurance and trusted the work. So… last week.

Understanding the Scale

How do you mentally break down 268 miles?
One task at a time. Eat. Move. Stay warm.

Is the Spine one race or many?
Many. Lots of small problems rather than one big one.

Which section do you respect the most?
The middle — when tiredness becomes constant, not temporary.

What’s the biggest misconception about the Spine?
That fitness alone will get you through.

Preparation & Training

How has training for the Spine differed from other races?
More time on feet, less chasing pace.

What’s been the most valuable part of preparation?
Learning what still works when I’m exhausted.

Has the focus been more physical or mental?
Mental. That’s what’s left at the end.

How have you prepared for sleep deprivation?
You can’t master it — you can only manage it, and sleep where it’s safe.

What lessons have past races taught you?
Slow down early. Look after your feet. Keep eating. And sleep more.

Cold, Darkness & Self-Sufficiency

How do you handle long periods of darkness?
Accept it. Don’t fight it.

What’s your approach to temperature management?
Small changes early prevent big problems later.

When conditions feel relentless, what helps most?
Going quiet. Doing the basics well. Staying focused.

How important is routine out there?
It keeps you moving when motivation’s gone.

Kit, Systems & Margins

What’s truly make-or-break kit?
Feet and layers. Everything else follows.

What did you obsess over most in preparation?
Systems, not gear.

How do you balance weight versus efficiency?
Enough to survive — not enough to slow me down.

What’s your foot-care strategy?
TrailSkin early, often, and before it hurts.

Fuel & Hydration

How does fuelling change at this scale?
It becomes about survival, not performance. BareFuel, obviously.

How do you eat when appetite disappears?
Little and often. No negotiating.

How important are warm calories?
Massive. They lift both body and head.

How do you avoid early energy deficits?
Fuel before I feel like I need it.

Strategy & Expectations

Who are you really racing out there?
Myself. Always.

What does success look like?
Making good decisions for as long as possible.

Where do you expect to be tested most?
When I’m tired and alone with my thoughts.

If things start to unravel, what’s the response?
Slow down. Fix one thing.

How do you protect decision-making under fatigue?
Stick to the plan. Emotion lies when you’re exhausted.

 

Photo Credit: Dan Bentley | Photography