The Bob Graham Round pt.2
The Bob Graham Round pt. 2
In 1932 in the Lake District, North West England, 42-year-old Bob Graham set a phenomenal record by climbing 42 mountain peaks "in his pyjamas and plimsolls" in less than 24 hours. And in doing so also covered a distance of about 66 miles (106 km)
Most of the mountains in northwest England are of course in a lower league than the Alpine giants we know in France, Italy, Austria or Switzerland. But because you can often descend almost to sea level, you can easily gain the necessary meters of altitude.
In those bygone days, some people in England wanted to show that there was a worthy alternative to climbing peaks such as Mount Everest back home on their own turf. After ascending and descending 42 times, the number of positive altitude gains does indeed come close to an Everest climb. Your legs can enjoy that for another week.
The Rules
To this day, The unmarked Bob Graham Round in the Lake District in England, remains a challenge that captures the imagination.
There is even an exclusive Bob Graham club, which at the end of 2022 clocked up 2713 members. The rules to join the club are quite simple:
Choose your own day and departure time
Determine whether you want to complete the round in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction
Find the necessary runners to accompany you - and who preferably take the route in relay to guide you to success. They also serve as witnesses and record the time on each of the 42 mountain peaks.
Start! You’ve got 23 hours and 59 minutes to make it back.
Departure and arrival is in Keswick, a pleasant village in the English Lake District and although the rules are fairly simple and the distance is reasonable for a trained ultra runner, only a third of the attempts are successful. The difficult terrain, weather conditions, navigation and a test of willpower all add to making this a tough challenge.
The Build Up
When I first heard about the round years ago, I was instantly intrigued. In 2008 I had already discovered a part of the region by bike (coast 2 coast route from west to east) and so was already captivated by the beautiful landscape, the rough Fells, the countless sheep, the challenging weather and 'outdoor’ appearance.
May 2019, with Sam (my brother, fellow Fell Runner and founder of Trail Trash running group) we traveled to Cumbria to explore the Bob Graham Round for the first time. A year or two earlier we had already spent a few days walking around the area. Now the objective was to split the round into 4 parts and study a piece every day while running.
During an official attempt, you actually divide the round into 5 parts. You cross the street four times to the next area and there you have the chance to line up supplies, change over your accompanying runners and where friends and family can offer support.
We soon realized that for this challenge, we would definitely be put to the test. In many places, the terrain is very difficult to run on: from swampy ground, deep mud, rocks and loose stones to steep slopes and slippery, almost straight descents.
Then you need to factor in the weather: when it rains there is usually a lot of wind and minimal visibility. While when the sun shines it is not only very hot but there are also no trees anywhere that can provide some shade.
To lose as little time as possible navigating (nothing is signposted) it is best to call on locals and people who know the area through and through.
Fortunately, during our preparations and making our plans, we were able to turn to Dave and Jane, the parents of a good friend of ours. Dave grew up in the Fells, so we got access to invaluable 'inside information', and heard all about the local myths and legends. When we stayed over there as guests during our recce’s we were treated like VIPs (thanks guys!).
The Hold Up
The motivation was there, we were gaining knowledge and so now we could really start planning. But that was 2020. And Covid hit and well….you know the rest : ) .
And then after lockdown, Sam became a new dad in 2022 (and in true belgian style was then also busy with renovations) So we decided to wait another year.
The Build Up again
I have a good friend Jamie who lives in Sheffield and has successfully completed the Bob Graham Round in a fantastic time. His brother and many of their running friends also had field experience. Cue our awesome co-ordinator of runners for the attempt.
Another friend Simon G. (who accompanied both me and Jamie to the Everest Marathon in Nepal -> Check Motivated by Movement ep. 5 also heard the news of our planned attempt. He volunteered to join us all the way from Denmark together with his girlfriend Louise (thanks for the pictures) to provide running support and to cheer us on.
And so after traveling to Cumbria again for a few last days recce in May (in misleadingly beautiful, sunny weather), we started looking for runners and put together a team.
Fortunately, we could count on Carrie, who took care of the logistics with her organizational talent. A super team was formed of ten accompanying runners, seven members of the crew, 18 month old Nestor, Sam and myself. By Friday morning, July 21, everyone knew what to do and when to be where. All we had to do was arrange our supplies, prepare running outfit(s) and go to bed early. Cut to The Big Day
July 22, 2023, 2:15 am: Get up.
After a short restless night it's time to get up. When I look outside, all I see is a black square. The rain also falls from the sky in buckets; it promises to be a fun day. They don't really know the term 'Flandrien' here, but most Fell Runners are Flandriens in heart and soul.
July 22, 2023, 3:52 am: Start Line
Moot Hall Keswick. 8 minutes left before we leave. Ollie and Craig have the early shift. The first part of the route to Threlkeld, also called the 'Leg 1', is almost 20 kilometers long and has 1562 vertical meters. The atmosphere is relaxed, the rain has eased somewhat. It's not a competition, we can leave whenever we want, but we want to stick to the schedule we set ourselves. Our goal is to finish the round in 22.5 hours. This still gives a little extra space and does not make the average speed too scorching.
July 22, 2023, 4:00 am: Leg 1 Keswick-Threlkeld
Here we go. Sam and I touch the banister of the legendary Moot Hall and we're off. Our legs feel good. Craig does a marvelous job. He effortlessly leads us out of Keswick, keeps us meticulously on schedule and even after the first ascent he finds the best way through the ‘bracken’, fern-overgrown path. Ollie is also magnificent, running behind Sam and me and making sure we can tick off the first three summits as a group.
The atmosphere is good, stories are told and jokes are made. Yet the focus remains there, after all, there is still a whole day to go. Save energy and don't take too many risks.
July 22, 2023, 7:10 am: Disaster!
Blencathra, Doddick Fell, a fairly steep descent of 600m to the first checkpoint. We have only just started descending and I hear someone calling behind me. When I turn around, I see Sam lying on the floor. 'I have sprained my ankle!'
Now I've also sprained some ankles in my life, but this looked a bit different. Sam's right foot was no longer positioned how it should be and there was definitely no chance of him running on it. My mind was racing: how are we going to get Sam out of here safely? How can we keep him warm? He may go into shock. What to do now?
Sam himself, given the situation, remains very calm and his first reaction was a valiant suggestion to descend the remaining 400 meters on his butt. To be honest, he is worrying more about being able to continue his renovations at home before the planned move in date, than what to do right now in the present.And so we call Mountain Rescue.
Fortunately, most Fell and Trail runners carry a thermal blanket, Sam was wrapped into it and after some discussion we agreed to leave Ollie with Sam whilst Craig and I make our way further down to the first support stop to get warm and dry clothes.
Many thoughts are still pounding through my head. Should I have stayed with Sam myself? Do I continue my round? Will I still be able to recharge myself mentally?
After a short talk with Carrie, it soon became clear that continuing the round was the right decision - for Sam and all the runners already lined up to support us.
July 22, 2023, 7.55 am: Leg 2 Threlkeld - Dunmail Raise
Together with Simon M, a master in orientering, my friend from the Everest marathon Simon G. was ready to take over at leg 2, providing some welcome reassurance as they both easily took over Craig's pleasant pace.
Even though there was a lot of wind and rain, and some tough calf biters like Clough Head and Fairfield, my legs still felt fresh and I was still right on track.
I even made up for some lost time.
July 22, 2023, 12.20 pm: Leg 3 Dunmail Raise - Wasdale
When I arrived at our second supply I got a positive boost again, Jamie was ready to take over, together with his brother - another Simon (I'm not inventing this :) and Stu (a true Bob Graham legend, who has already completed the double round!).
I couldn't have wished for a better team, well except only if Sam was there..
Good news also from Sam, Mountain rescue has done a phenomenal job (see article). I saw a picture of a smiling Sam from Carlisle hospital where his broken ankle was x-rayed, manipulated, reset and x-rayed again before being allowed to go home. Fun fact - his doctor had also completed the Bob Graham 20 years ago, along with many of the Mountain Rescue team. So they got it : )
July 22, 2023, 4.45 pm: Leg 3 Descent to Seathwaite
Boosted by the news, I started the climb of Leg 3. Once at the top it flattened out a bit and it also cleared up a bit. Everything was going well until... I tripped over a stupid rock. In a successful attempt not to crash to the ground, I suffered a tear in my hamstring. Normally, tripping like that would have no effect at all; the longer the distance, the more likely you are not to lift your foot high enough.
Unfortunately I had just (or not yet) recovered from a strain in the same muscle before I had left Belgium.
Running became too painful. Walking was still possible, climbing too. At a slower pace, we kept ticking off peak after peak. The well-made time was soon lost, making it impossible to finish within 24 hours. To limit the damage and not to endanger myself and the others, it was wisely decided to end the round and descend through another valley…..back to reality
To be continued
However, there are also many positive sides to the story. It was quite an adventure; we got to know the route a little better again. Sam's ankle will eventually work out (fingers crossed). We also have a lot of new running friends and we even made it to the BBC news.
I would also like to thank all the crew and employees. We wouldn't even leave without your support. Thanks Carrie, Hanna, Dave & Jane, Simon G. & Louise, Guy & Sarah, Jamie, Simon R., Simon M., Craig, Stu, Ollie, Jake, Chris and Alex. Special thanks to Keswick Mountain rescue. Life is what you guys train for!
We're not done with the Bob Graham round yet. To be continued…
