A MEMBER of Tring Running Club put in a marathon effort as he reached 42 Lake District peaks in less than 24 hours.
Michael Burgess completed the Bob Graham Round – a 72-mile route including 29,000 feet of ascent – in a time of 22 hours and 50 minutes.
He started the energy-sapping route in freezing temperatures in Keswick at midnight on Friday and reached the peaks of Skiddaw, Great Calva, Blencathra, Great Dodd, Helvellyn, Fairfield, High Raise, Bowfell, Scafell Pike, Scafell, Yewbarrow, Steeple, Pillar, Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Dale Head and Robinson – with another 25 peaks to contend with in between those.
Michael’s wife Verna, as well as friends and fellow runners, acted as support crew and ran with him for portions of the gruelling five-leg route.
“I managed to get a little sleep before being woken at 11pm to prepare for the midnight start and then I had to focus on the task ahead,” said Michael.
“It was very cold for the first part and I ended up waist deep in a bog and had to be pulled out by a member of my support crew who was running with me for that leg.
“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife Verna and all my friends and fellow runners – words fail me but a huge thank you to you all!”