What a wonderful time it has been for records and FKTs, it’s almost been too difficult to keep up with the monstrous challenges that are being undertaken by the current crop of top ultra runners. After an unsuccessful attempt earlier in the year, Nicky Spinks came back to break the Lake District 24-hour record last weekend (14-15 August 2021) by climbing 65 peaks and returning to the start in Braithwaite in 23:45, taking 12 minutes off the previous record set by Carol Morgan in 2020. Nicky had held the record previously with 64 peaks completed in 2011. Kim Collison broke the longstanding overall record in 2020 with 78 peaks in 23:45.
The record could also have been taken by bagging extra peaks within the 24-hour period as long they are over 2,000ft (610m) and further than 0.25 miles from the nearest summit and involve a minimum of 250ft of descent/re-ascent from the nearest peak).
Unlike some of the other big Lake District challenges, the 24-hour record can start wherever the runner chooses, although most seem to have settled on Braithwaite. It is interesting to read the history and development of the challenge at the Bob Graham Club website.
It has been a busy time in the Lake District with Damian Hall breaking the Wainwright Coast to Coast record in May and Sabrina Verjee breaking the Wainwrights record in June: She completed all of the 214 Wainwright peaks in an astonishing 5 days, 2 hours and 49 minutes. John Kelly began a record attempt in July but had to abandon after 85 peaks. Keep your eyes peeled for RunUltra’s chat with Nicky, coming soon to our Youtube channel.
With thanks to Woodentops Fell Runners for their photo of Nicky.
