KIM COLLISON SETS NEW PADDY BUCKLEY RECORD
On Saturday 17th April, Kim Collison set a new record for the infamous Paddy Buckley Round, in a time of 16 hours 20 minutes and 40 seconds. He beat the previous record, set by Math Roberts in 2020, by 17 minutes. Kim tweeted: “Dream day in [Wales] yesterday with the new Paddy Buckley record. 16:20:40. Thank you for all the support to make this dream a reality”
Kim is no stranger to breaking records, and also holds the Lakeland 24-Hour record, and the Winter Bob Graham Round record.
Previously known as the Welsh Classical Round, the Welsh contingent of the UK Big Three covers 61.25 miles of Snowdonian mountain terrain, taking in 47 mountain peaks and over 28,000 feet of ascent. It was first completed in 1982 by Wendy Dodds in a time of 25 hours 37 minutes. Due to the unforgiving nature of the terrain, and crippling elevation profile, the PBR has a reputation for being the harder of the three. There is no time limit, no membership club, and no rules – those who dare can start at any point, and go in either direction. There have been a number of variations, such as the inclusion of all 3000ft summits (Adrian Belton, 1989). A log of completions is kept and updated by Paddy Buckley, and can be viewed here.
Ahead of my own fast-approaching attempt later this year, I have spent hours poring over the map, trying (and failing) to comprehend the various records and variations printed at the bottom. These include the current women’s record of 18 hours 33 minutes, held by Jasmin Paris, and a sub-24 hour, winter, unsupported completion by Martin Stone in 1989. Whilst my own attempt is likely to far surpass the 24-hour mark, I need not be short of inspiration.
Paddy Buckley refers to the route as “a labour of love”, and his story of its inception, planning and completion demonstrates that devising a route such as this requires as much artistry as it does fitness, navigation and grit.
