After an successful soft launch last winter, myself and Damian Hall are thrilled to be hosting two more official Spine Races training weekends in 2025.
The Winter Training Weekend will go on sale later this year. Please sign up for the mailing list at the bottom of this page to find out as soon as places become available. The Summer Training Weekend is on sale now, with very limited places!
2025 Summer Spine Races Training Weekend
Date: 9-11 May 2025
LOCATION: Crow Trees Bunkbarn, Nr Thwaite, Hawes
An all-inclusive Summer Spine Races Training Weekend at the heart of the Pennine Way
Join us, our incredible team and a bunch of like-minded loons for a weekend running, planning, eating, chatting and, of course, expert workshops covering everything from navigation to napping to that all-important kit check and everything in between. Whether you’re taking on one of the Summer Spine Races this year or next, or just thinking about doing something similar, we have a host of experts on board to get you fully prepared for the adventure of a lifetime. You will be looked after by…
Damian Hall
GB athlete Damian has started the Winter Spine Race five times, with four finishes, one DNF and one win. The 49-year-old has also worked on the race three times, is the author of the official Pennine Way guide, a full-time running coach, and has completed other 200-mile races such as Tor des Géants. The childishly haired vegan is also a founding member of The Green Runners, Into Ultra and is a Mountain Leader. He also has a tea problem.
Allie Bailey
Specialising in mindset and endurance, award-winning coach, author and podcaster, Allie has podiumed at a number of 100 and 200-mile races, as well as numerous multi-day events and world-first endurance challenges. She’s worked on the Winter Spine Race twice, in the Safety and Media Teams. Having completed the Summer Spine Challenger South in 2024 (5th female), this year Allie will take on the Summer Spine Challenger North. After swearing she would never, ever do it, she also has a place at the 2026 Winter Spine Race.
Matt Neale
Six-time Winter Spine Race finisher, as well as numerous other unnecessarily long races such as Tor des Glaciers and the big three fell-running rounds, Matt has been a Yorkshire Dales National Park ranger for 30 years, where he's been responsible for sections of the Pennine Way. Super-sensible Ranger Matt loves to run his own race and brings oodles of bog-dodging experience.
Louise Greenwood
Louise is a fell and ultrarunner and has completed many long-distance races including the Winter Spine Race, Dragon's Back Race and Old County Tops to name but a few. Louise's most recent trophy was an age category win at the Mourne Sky Ultra and a bronze medal at the national fell-running championships. Louise is a Mountain Leader with many years of experience leading recces, providing event safety and helping to plan running and walking events. Louise's day – and night! – job is as a firefighter in Ambleside. You can also catch Louise working in Kong Running, Keswick where Louise is the off-road shoe expert!
Kevin Robinson
Kev is an ultrarunner and mountaineer who has completed the Winter Spine Race and three winter MRT Challenger Souths, winning that race in 2025. He also has two Spine DNFs to share experience from. Other notable races include three Lakeland 100s, two Dragon's Back attempts, Stainland 105, Hardwolds 80 and numerous other ultras. Kev has also been a Mountain Rescue volunteer for over 16 years with the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team. Kev is a qualified Remote Rescue Medical Technician and Swiftwater Response Technician. In his day job Kev is a VP of Operations in a multinational software company, so if you like high tech chat, Kev’s your man for that, too!
What’s included:
Two nights’ accommodation in mixed dorms at the wonderful Crow Trees Bunkbarn. Think Spine CP accommodation, bunk beds, other people, but nicer toilets and showers.
Breakfast on Sat and Sun, and dinner Fri and Sat (bring your own lunch and snacks!), plus plenty of tea and biscuits.
Two expert-led runs out on the Pennine Way (approx 10-15 miles long, at a social pace).
Four workshops, focusing on navigation, kit, mindset and race strategies. It’s your weekend – we will cover what you want us to.
A special guest speaker, plus some great photos of you on the route taken by our professional Spine photographers.
Invaluable access to our experts and their knowledge across the weekend. Oh and Pickle the dog will be there.
Friends for life – the people you meet on these weekends tend to become your new best friends. It’s magical!
FAQ
How do I get there/When do I need to be there?
Crow Trees is situated near Thwaite, just off the Pennine Way. There is loads of parking and we will set up a WhatsApp group to help arrange liftshares. The nearest train station is Garsdale and we will arrange lifts from the station. We’d like you to arrive for 5-6pm Friday so we can have dinner and do introductions at around 7pm. Don’t worry if you can’t get there until later – we’ll save you some food! You’ll be free to leave from 3pm Sunday.
How experienced do I need to be?
We make this course as inclusive as possible, and we cater for most levels of runner. You don’t have to join us on the runs – they are optional! However, for the running sections, we would ask that you have some experience of trail running and ideally are able to move at 3-4mph on similar terrain. We have a full team out on the hill and options for shorter routes, so nobody gets left behind.
How long are the runs?
The runs will be between 10-15 miles long and will be at a social pace, with a leader, a sweeper and guides in between.
What kit do I need to bring?
We will send out a mandatory kit list a few weeks before the event. Although it won’t be as extensive as the Spine Race kit list, it will include similar items. If you are running one of the summer races, we would advise you do bring your full kit to practice with.
Can I bring my dog?
Sorry no. Pickle is the only dog in the bunkhouse.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The cost for the full weekend is £595 per person.
WHAT’S THE FOOD LIKE?
Breakfast is provided by us, and is a do it yourself job of toast, porridge, cereal and fruit - you are of course welcome to bring your own bits and bobs (and we recommend you do if you have important foodie needs). Tea and coffee and all the milks are available all day every day. Dinners are catered by an outside company and will be well balanced, delightful vegan feasts. Again, if you want to bring your expedition meals to test, or a massive steak, please do. We have full use of the kitchen throughout.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind?
Short answer is no, so make sure you can definitely attend! We are happy for you to transfer the place to another participant up to one week before the event, but we need to know who this is so we can get emergency details. With four weeks’ notice, we can provide a credit note for a future workshop, but we can not offer refunds, sorry. We advise you take out your own insurance to cover yourself and your entry fee. All details are in our T&Cs, on the entry page.
What If I am injured?
You can still benefit from the weekend massively, as running is only a tiny part of it. The workshops still work for injured people!
Any other questions? Drop me an email here