22nd May 2004
Background
I first started, off-road running last year, (in fact any proper
running since being in Wallsend Harriers at least 17 years ago!)
With a few recent Great North Runs and Boxing Day Pudding Runs,
with accompanying hangovers, I made a New Years resolution to
get fit and start running again. After a couple of trail races
my first fell race was Alwinton on 17th May 2003 I finished toward
the back of the field but really enjoyed it and after the Chevy
Chase in July decided to have a go at the Lakeland Threethousanders.
This was suggested by a friend, John Allen who normally accompanies
me on caving and climbing trips but who also liked the challenge
of undertaking these sort of things! The two of us completed
this in 18 hours mainly walking and jogging the easy bits. It
was during this that we discussed the Bob Graham Round, and what
an incredulous thing this was. I couldn't imagine ever being
able to do this and believed that this was only for the very
elite of the fell running world, but marvelled at what it must
be like to actually complete the round. Judging by the way I
felt after finishing this I didn't even contemplate the BG being
within my grasp! After completing some more fell races I found
I really started to enjoy the longer races and did the Borrowdale
and some of the other Lakeland Classics. I was now hooked, and
even joined my local running club (North Shields Poly) to improve
on the flat bits (which was my weakness) The BG now came back
to mind, I read the reports on the NFR web-site and was just
so inspired. I had to give it a try! I decided I needed a partner
to train with, I needed the motivation to get out and do all
that was going to be required so I put a post on the NFR e-group
and very quickly got a reply from Paul Creighton. We agreed a
date for our attempt and started training........
The Start
6.15am and I was anxious to get to Moot Hall in good time that
morning I rounded up Dave, Lewis and Jan and we jumped in the
car and drove to Keswick, arriving with enough time to sit in
the car park for 5 minutes in nervous anticipation of what I
was about to do. We found Paul and Lynne waiting at Moot Hall
and were soon joined by John Dallinson, and David Burn in NFR
vest and shorts (our navigator and pacer for sections 1 & 2)
it was a bright clear morning but it was still cold and I admired
their hardy constitutions as I donned my Ron Hills and Down Jacket
waiting for 7.0am to arrive. A crowd of supporters and pacers
had now gathered including 4 lads from Carnethy wearing yellow
club vests who were also attempting the round. A quick round
up for photo's then we were off...............
Section 1 - Keswick to Honister (The disorganised bit)
Support: John Dallinson (Navigator), David Burn (Pacer), Dave
Eardley, Lewis Grundy.
I was following John Dallinson talking about which way he wanted
to navigate us off Gable when he stopped at a street corner in
Keswick and asked whether this was the way!! I thought he was
joking, he wasn't! Neither of us had actually thought about having
to navigate our way out of Keswick! The Carnethy lads came past
so we followed them, over the footbridge and onto the roads towards
Robinson. We were running at a good pace and chattering with
the lads from Carnethy, I felt great. Dave Eardley another climbing
buddy who I'd recruited for this section warned me not to talk
all the way round otherwise I'd expend a lot of energy just gabbling
on. Good advice which served me well in the later stages.
We approached Little Town to see the Carnethy support crew with
fell running shoes lined up and refreshments but no sign of Jan
or the Royal Mail van carrying all the support runners back packs
with water and food. We waited for a few minutes to no avail
and then decided to continue, leaving Lewis Grundy in case they
should turn up. (I think in the hope he could maybe get some
gear from them and catch us up! After all he'd completed his
BG in 20.5hours) It was getting hotter and I was concerned we
might become dehydrated, I was also concerned about running on
the hills in road running shoes. We stopped at the stream from
the reservoir before the climb to Robinson to have a drink. We
reached Robinson and briefly admired the views as far as the
sea, it must have been the clearest I'd seen it up here. Onto
Hindscarth and running down towards Dalehead ridge where Paul
swiftly descended past me, then pirouetted around as his road
running shoes slipped on the grassy hill, nicely recovered and
on up to Dalehead. Just before the ascent up, Lewis appeared
carrying a Berghaus PacLite Jacket ingeneously tuned inside out
and arranged as a water carrier from which we all had a slurp
before continuing to Dalehead summit, six minutes up on schedule.
(Thanks Lewis) We descended to Honister to find Susan Davies
signalling Paul to the left car park and me to the right where
our respective support vehicles were waiting. Neither had realised
the other had arrived until they saw us descending by which time
it was to late to reload tables and chairs etc and join up. This
made things confusing because I couldn't see Paul to work out
when to leave, so I hurriedly downed some food and water and
started to walk towards them closely followed by Jane Grundy
and Katherine Davis (supporting on section 2).......
Section 2 - Honister to Wasdale (The bloated bit)
Support: John Dallinson (Navigator), David Burn (Pacer), Jane
Grundy, Katherine Davis, Glen McWilliams, Steve Walker.
We were soon all on our way up Grey Knotts; I was trying to
down a ham sandwich, which Jan had thrown in my hand as I was
leaving. I am not good at eating on the move and Jan had given
strict instructions to my support crew to keep me eating. This
was very firmly taken on board by Jane, as I was about to find
out! I really enjoyed this section, the panorama and views are
fantastic and you can just about see the whole route from Gable.
We reached this without incident 2 minutes up on schedule for
this stage. I was feeling really strong and actually felt the
pace was slow, but was very aware that I'd only been going for
3.5 hours and needed to conserve energy. We followed John down
the screes from Gable where he demonstrated his superior descending
skills leaving us in his wake. He waited at the bottom for Paul
and I, the rest of the team were still descending. Jane stopped
to tell two walkers on their way up a better way to ascend rather
than risk being stoned to death by flying rocks that were being
dislodged by the rampaging fell runners. We continued on schedule
to Kirkfell and Pillar, while chatting with Jane and being force-fed
flap jacks and milky ways. We approached Steeple a solitary,
pinnacle shaped outcrop with a lone walker perched on the very
top. This is a really beautiful summit more akin to those on
the Cullins in Skye. Onto Red Pike and then along a rocky traverse
which leads onto the summit of Yewbarrow. Knocking off a minute
on each against the schedule. This was the only part of the route
I had not reccied and Paul had told me about how he was not looking
forward to the descent off Yewbarrow. Rocks and divets were hidden
by heather combined with the gradient of a double diamond black
run it was not the easiest of descents to negotiate. We both
descended together and in just over half an hour were running
in to be greeted by a crowd of supporters at Wasdale. What a
great reception!
Section 3 - Wasdale to Dunmail (The up and down bit)
Support: John Allen (Navigator), Jeff Davidson (Pacer), John
Russell, Martin Armstrong, Paul Hainsworth
We were both sat down in chairs and our every need tended to.
Food in hand, socks changed, drinks, energy gels. Jan told me
she had been in radio contact with Martin and Paul Hainsworth
who were setting up the ropes on the West Wall Traverse and that
all was in place. John Dallinson & David Burn had done a
fantastic job of navigating and pacing and were now to be replaced
by a new team including John Russell, Jeff Davidson and the aforementioned
John Allen who I'd recruited for his navigational skills. From
this stage onwards we each had our own support team and we had
agreed that we would each go at our own pace over the coming
sections, and so we set off up Scafell, expecting to be pretty
much together. We gained an unexpected lead on Paul as we neared
the top of the steep section, I kept looking back to check on
their progress to see them slowing until they were out of sight.
I knew that something was wrong when they did not appear at the
top of the gully, my heart sank and I realised that Paul had
not continued. We'd planned on completing this together and had
both put so much into training and organisation for this day,
I felt very sorry for Paul but at the same time felt even more
pressure to complete the round because of all the people who
had turned out in support. I tried to put this to the back of
my mind and pushed on to Scafell. We caught Martin and Paul by
surprise who had not expected us up here so quickly, and saw
them both run to the top of the gully which they had roped up.
Martin handed me a Red Bull as John Allen descended first, I
followed hand over hand using the rope to secure myself on the
first steep loose section of gully this really speeded things
up. Jeff soon followed and we made our way up towards Mickledore
ridge and onto Scafell Pike, we'd managed to get between the
two Scafells in 32 minutes! Onto Broad Crag and Ill Crag where
John had to take a quick bearing to confirm which of the two
outcrops with cairns was actually Ill Crag, of course it had
to be the biggest and most rocky one. John then directed me and
Jeff (pacing) from the path to the summit of Great End from where
we were to re-join the path and hopefully the two Johns heading
in the direction of Esk Pike. From the summit we got mixed up
and headed off toward Glaramara by mistake, to be caught by John
Russell in the nick of time who pointed us back in the right
direction. Next onto Bowfell where again only me and Jeff summitted!
we then carefully picked our way down the indistinct grassy traverse
(which had taken us 3 weekends to find) to Rossett Crag, again
witnessed by Jeff while the two Johns made there way around the
path below. At Pike O' Stickle Jeff said his legs were getting
knackered and volunteered John Russell to follow me to the top
instead. At each top we seemed to be knocking off at least 2-3
minutes from the schedule and we continued to move at a quick
pace. We'd kept leaving John Russell behind on the stoney sections
(with 30 years of road racing and being new to the fells this
was not his cup of tea) and now we were back on grassy tracks
he was back on the pace. From Seargent Man we started the fast
grassy descent following the line of fence posts. The lads now
had the end firmly in mind and were talking about how much they
looked forward to finishing soon and the pub afterwards, I reminded
them that I still had another ten hours to go and to shut up!
John skilfully navigated us on to Calf Crag and then to Steel
Fell where I recognised the fence line from where to begin the
descent. I could see a line of cars and people on the roadside
waiting for our arrival as Jeff shot off down the hill and I
struggled to keep up. Another amazing reception, as 20-30 people
gathered by the roadside to cheer me in, even Dave Atkinson and
co had put in an appearance after completing the Old County Tops.
This was just so motivational!
Section 4 - Dunmail to Threlkeld (The Night time bit)
Support: Geoff Davis (Navigator), Graham Daglish (Pacer), Paul
O' Hara, John Metson, Kevin Bray & Nick Spencer
I knew I was in safe hands on this next section surrounded by
an experienced team led by Geoff Davis (navigating) and Graham
Daglish (pacing) We set off up Seat Sandal at 7.50pm at a quick
pace, I was starting to feel the first signs of fatigue and sapping
energy. There were another two big climbs ahead before the easier
Helvelyn ridge. We reached Fairfield with the Carnethy lads just
in front but took a better line of descent to Grisedale Tarn
to leave them in our wake. On the last big ascent to Dollywagon
Pike I was starting to feel drained, and didn't have the energy
or inclination to talk. Geoff kept asking if I was ok, I replied, "fine"each
time knowing that I had to stay focused and just keep going.
Geoff was keen for us to reach Nethermost Pike before it got
dark, this small summit is probably the most difficult to find
but we got to it without any problems and continued along the
ridge to Helvelyn then Lower Man, Whiteside and Raise as it was
becoming dark. I'd stopped asking how we were doing against time
and couldn't stop thinking about the next section and the climb
up Halls Fell Ridge to Blencathra, I was really worried about
this and whether I could manage it. I had hit a real low point,
when Geoff asked if I wanted to know how I was doing against
the schedule; overall, I was over 1 hours and 40 minutes up.
Suddenly my mood changed and I knew I had plenty of time to spare
and even if I did struggle up Blencathra I should have enough
time in the bag to complete on time. Re-energised and motivated
again we pushed on to the Dodds, even admiring the lights of
Keswick and Penrith against the black, clear skyline chatting
with Paul O'Hara. One overriding memory of this section is the
support offered by everyone particularly Graham, whenever I asked
for any select type of drink or snack that appealed the hunt
would start through back-packs and amongst the line of support
runners and they would always come up with the goods. We finally
reached Great Dodd then descended Clough Head pulling back even
more time thanks to Geoff's navigation. We met Susan Davis on
the road leading to the A66, crossed this and headed to the next
change over before the dreaded climb up Blencathra......
Section 5 - Threlkeld to Keswick (The Hard Bit)
Support: Stewart Gardner (Navigator), Charlotte Roberts (pacer),
Kevin Atwell, Geoff Davis
We expected the cars to be waiting by the telephone box on the
road junction but found nobody there, so we continued up the
road towards the kennels to find only Charlotte & Stewart
waiting, Jan was not their. We had arrived an hour before they'd
expected us and when they did get their couldn't find us. A call
to Charlottes mobile and they joined us 10 minutes later. A quick
change of socks, and blister packs bravely assisted by John Allen
who'd now joined Jan in the support vehicle and we were off.
I had told Charlotte that I was really worried about this next
climb I was reassured and told there was enough time to stop
and rest on the ridge, but once I'd started I couldn't allow
myself to stop I really thought that I'd never get going again!
I was drawing on my very last reserves and was beginning to feel
light headed and dizzy; I stumbled backwards halfway up the ridge
to be restrained by Charlotte (thanks for stopping me falling
off!) Eventually made the summit only 5 minutes behind schedule,
I was amazed I felt as if I was so slow.
At the top Stewart took a bearing for Great Calva and we were
off traversing around the hillside and descending towards the
river at the bottom. It was black dark, no moonlight to even
silhouette Calva. Stewart stopped to get the map out and check
our location, he kept on doing this and even sat down with map
and compass to figure out where we were, we traversed up and
down changing direction, I kept quiet but was becoming increasingly
anxious, could we be lost! I had visions of it all slipping away.
However, after another map check and bearing we crossed the river
and picked up the path & fence line to Great Calva, what
relief! I asked how we were doing and we were still ahead of
schedule. We bagged the summit and headed for Skiddaw we could
see the lights of the Carnethy team now ahead of us, heading
across to the slopes of Skiddaw. It was now starting to get light
as the sun was rising, I knew that there was only one summit
left before the descent to Keswick, this spurred me on and we
started to catch the Carnethy crew. Three quarters of the way
up and we were level with them and chatting away about experiences
along the route. Two lone figures appeared on the summit of Skiddaw;
Geoff Davis & Kevin Atwell had climbed up to meet us. We
arrived on the summit with just over 2 hours left to reach Keswick;
Charlotte said enough time to walk the rest and still finish
before 7.0am. I knew then, I'd done it! With rekindled energy
I decided to run the rest and the four of us set off on the long
descent. We reached the car park at the bottom of Skiddaw to
find Susan Davis, and Amanda with Jan and John waiting with my
seat, food, drinks and road running shoes. I didn't need any
of it, a quick hug for Jan and we were off again I didn't want
to delay finishing. Cassy (Stewart & Charlottes dog) got
stuck into eating the food that Jan had prepared for me and left
in a pan on the ground. A few harsh words from Stewart and she
came running. I felt quite emotional as I ran towards the bridge
that crossed the A66 before Keswick; we cut through the houses
to Fitz Park and approached Keswick High Street through the cut
from the main car park. As we did Stewart shouted, "If you
sprint this next bit you'll get in sub 23 hours. Imagine I'm
just ahead of you in a fell race" I charged past him and
through the cut into the High Street to a round of applause from
everyone at Moot Hall. Paul Creighton was the first to congratulate
me as I arrived it was great to see him. I was handed a bottle
of champagne and sat down in my seat and felt proud of what I
had achieved. Shortly after, three, of the four Carnethy team
arrived to complete the round. We swigged back champagne (including
theirs which they couldn't manage!) and I received congratulations
from all there.
I do feel very privileged to have received all this support
from everyone over the weekend. It really was a great team effort
that got me around and enabled me to achieve one of my greatest
goals to date.
Special thanks to Geoff and Susan Davis for all their help in
pulling this together and supporting me throughout, and to Paul
Creighton for all the support before and during the weekend,
and especially to Jan for her 24 hour non-stop challenge of catering
for and organising me and all in support at the road stops.
Chris Little
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