Andy's Spine Race to Support Hospice Care

Aim

I am hoping to raise £2000 to split between St Leonard's Hospice, York and Wheatfield's Hospice, Leeds.

On 11th January 2026 I will set off to run the Winter Spine Race - that's the full 268 miles of the Pennine Way in the depths of winter from Edale, Derbyshire, to Kirk Yetholm, Scotland. 

The Spine Race is one of the world's most brutal races and to be fully prepared is a huge undertaking.  The training and conditioning has been literally years in the making and I think I feel as prepared now as I ever will be!

A typical day on the Spine involves carrying my own 8kg pack, often knee deep in snow and alone for up to 24 hours at a time, before arriving at a checkpoint for a change of socks and some much needed human contact.  It's cold, hostile, boggy, hilly(!), lonely and yet strangely beautiful at times.  Sleep is a rare commodity and the odd power nap in a Yorkshire Dales toilet can feel luxurious! 

In Jan 2024 I ran the 160 mile Spine Challenger North - that's the northern section of the Pennine Way - and placed 12th. In Jan 2025 I had a crack at the 44 mile Spine Sprint from Edale to Hebden Bridge and placed 5th. 

The full Spine Race is a different beast, and just to complete it will be a major achievement.  You can watch my tracker here to follow my progress through day and night (Link to follow). 

Wheatfield's and St Leonard's Hospices are very close to the hearts of our family. For many, the end of their life can feel a lot like a Spine Race but Hospice Care adds tailor-made warmth, compassion and peace for all those affected in the difficult final days of a loved one's life. Any donations you make will be split equally between both charities to help them to continue to provide exceptional end of life care. 

This project successfully funded on 28th December 2025