July starts with inspiring FKTs: This Week's Trail Tally

Pen Yr Helgi Du © The Puddle Buckley Round Official Website

Chasing Trails: Week 28

"What an inspiring week we had to kick off July on the trails! From groundbreaking new challenges like Alex Staniforth’s 446 mountain climbs to unique quirky ones like the Puddle Buckley round completed by Sarah Kelly, there was enough motivation and blue sky thinking to get us all setting new goals. And there’s more exciting racing coming up as we head into “proper summer” - keep enjoying the trails!"

- Kate Parker, Director - Founder

A Double Bob Bonanza

Many people will know about the Bob Graham Round - the iconic challenge in the Lake District, starting and finishing at the Keswick Moot Hall and covering 66 miles (106km), traversing 42 fells in a 24-hour period. It’s attracted top mountain runners from around the UK and worldwide, notably Kilian Jornet and Jack Kuenzle (current record holder, having run it in 12 hours 23 minutes in 2022), and Beth Pascall (the female record holder, 14 hours 34 minutes, 2020).

But to do it twice? Only a few people have attempted it, setting off for 132 miles (and 54,000 feet / 16,459 m of ascent) over two consecutive days. A week ago, Caspian James became the 10th official finisher, setting the fastest known time: 43 hours 53 minutes (over one hour faster than the time set by Dougie Zinis in 2021). This also included an impressive 19 hours 12 minutes on the first round. 

As he reported on Instagram: “Turning around at the Moot Hall after completing the first round was one of the most mentally challenging things I’ve done in a long time, but running that final leg with 7 of my friends supporting me is something I will never forget.”

Amazing work, Caspian!

Photo from Caspian’s Instagram @casonthetrails

Setting Mountain Running History

Alex Staniforth is a record-breaker who’s inspired many as the “Adversity Adventurer” and through his work with the mental health charity he has founded, Mind Over Mountains. He has most recently set another fantastic milestone: climbing all 446 mountains in England and Wales in a single journey. Alex completed this running and cycling feat to raise £30,000 for Mind Over Mountains so far.

The stats: 3,000 km covered, with more than 100,000m of elevation. Alex started in Dartmoor, finishing in the Lake District after 45 days - a record time overall. He slept in a motorhome when he could and he even celebrated his birthday on the hills!

You can still support Alex’s fundraising efforts here. He is hoping to raise £500,000 to grow Mind Over Mountains and offer more support to people struggling with their mental health, through therapeutic outdoor experiences that change lives. 

Photo courtesy of Alex’ Instagram @alexstaniforth

Trails & Lakes in a Puddle Round

Going beyond the trails, Sarah Kelly set her sights on a swim-run adventure with the Puddle Buckley Round in Snowdonia. This is a 64km running and wild swimming challenge that takes you up 16 summits, for a whopping 5000m of ascent total. In between, you’ll also have to swim across 4 Welsh llyns (lakes). You can do it all in the order and direction of your choice, as long as you tick off the summit and llyn checkpoints from the official route.

Sarah described her experience on Instagram as: “[being in] a golf ball with a wind vortex and a water dragon firing water at us for 18 of the 19 and a half hours we were out trudging the trails” - very much type 2 fun! She became not only the women’s record holder for the round, but also the first female runner to complete it solo, in 19 hours 38 minutes. 

Sarah has also completed the Frog Graham Round, another c. 40 miles of wild swimming and running the Lake District, derived from the Bob Graham Round. 

Photo from the challenge courtesy of Steph Knapman’s Instagram @stephknapman