The Ultimate mountain challenge ‘Bob Graham Round’ fell running challenge in the English Lake District
Jack McKenna (23) completes the Bob Graham Round in under 22 hours!
The Bob Graham Round is a fell running challenge in the English Lake District.
The course is approximately sixty six miles in length, so roughly 2 ½ full marathons in distance. If it were on flattish roads then it would not be too difficult to train for, however the route is mostly off-road and involves being able to travel across a variety of different terrain.
It is named after Bob Graham (1889–1966), a Keswick guest-house owner, who in June 1932 broke the Lakeland Fell record by traversing 42 fells within a 24-hour period. Traversing the 42 fells, starting and finishing at Keswick Moot Hall, involves 66 miles (106 km) with 26,900 feet (8,200 m) of ascent.
The Round was first repeated, in a better time, in 1960 by Alan Heaton. Since then over 2000 individuals have completed the Round with the fastest time being 12hr 52m set by Kilian Jornet, surpassing by more than an hour, Billy Bland's record which had stood for 36 years.
The Bob Graham Round is one of the classic big three mountain challenges in the UK.
For most fell / mountain runners this is the ultimate career running challenge. The ambitious target is to complete the event in under 24 hours - and, young Jack completed this aged 23 and joins the 24 hour club- a truly inspirational young man!
Jack McKenna completes the Bob Graham challenge in the Lake District
Slieve Donard Race
Saturday 26 September saw the 76th edition of the Slieve Donard Race.
This iconic race saw competitors cover 5 miles and ascend 2,700 feet up Northern Ireland's highest mountain.
Congratulations to William Fleck and Mark Alexander who competed in the event in 70 minutes.
William Fleck and Mark Alexander at Slieve Donard Mountain Race
Ballymena Runners out in force at Shane’s Castle Races
Club members also competed in a range of events on Saturday including 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon in the scenic grounds of Shanes Castle in Antrim.
John Hassan, Ryan Bankhead and Mark Osmer at Shanes Castle
Brigid Quinn and Geraldine Quigley at Shanes Castle
Susanna Allen completes ‘Six Hour Running Challenge’
Susanna Allen was in action at the weekend during her six hour individual run that replaced the International race she was due to compete in.
Susanna ran round and the Michelin 'track' in Ballymena - the COVID 19 equivalent of seeing the world!
Well done Susanna and thank you to everyone who supported!
Susanna Allen with Mathew Allen at the Michelin Track