April 2022
TWENTYTHREE
TWENTYTHREE
BGR
The Bob Graham Round is a legendary endurance run that takes place in the Lake District National Park. It involves running a route that traverses 42 of the Lake District's peaks, covering a distance of approximately 106km with 8200m of ascent. Runners aim to complete the challenge within 24 hours. BGR is considered one of the toughest endurance events in the UK. Named after Bob Graham, a Keswick guest-house owner who first completed the route in 1932, the Bob Graham Round has since become an iconic event for fell runners and endurance athletes alike.
Matt began his run from Moot Hall on April 27th, 2022, with the company of other support runners and the enthusiastic cheers of his family and friends. Initially, he headed north toward the hillwalking staple Skiddaw and Blenchatra. His support runners ensured a comfortable pace was maintained, allowing him to accumulate first miles with ease.
Into the night
Blenchatra summit, day changing into the night with the sun sinking below the horizon. Leg one of BGR is almost complete. With the first leg of the Bob Graham Round nearly finished, all that remained was for him to descend to Threlkeld where Sarah, his support on the road, was waiting with provisions.
Matt completed legs two and three in sub-zero temperatures and complete darkness, as he made his way from Threlkeld to Helvellyn before traversing a series of ups and downs that included Nethermost Pike, Fairfield, and Seat Sandal.
Matt completed legs two and three in sub-zero temperatures and complete darkness, as he made his way from Threlkeld to Helvellyn before traversing a series of ups and downs that included Nethermost Pike, Fairfield, and Seat Sandal.
LONG NIGHT
The second road crossing of the night has taken Matt from the icy slopes of Seat sandal to his second refueling station on top of Dunmail Rise pass. Sarah had a warm cuppa and food ready. As Matt said a machine that's fueled carries on going. After a short break, Matt embarked on the third leg, tackling a steep ascent up to High Raise and towards Langdales and onto Scaffell.
For us seeing Matt leave the Dunmail raise pass meant a long drive to Wasdale campsite with the hope of catching some sleep. for Matt it was around 7 more hours of darkness and bellow freezing temperatures.
The morning in Wasdale brought us to the second day and well past 12 hours since leaving The Moot hall in Keswick.
For us seeing Matt leave the Dunmail raise pass meant a long drive to Wasdale campsite with the hope of catching some sleep. for Matt it was around 7 more hours of darkness and bellow freezing temperatures.
The morning in Wasdale brought us to the second day and well past 12 hours since leaving The Moot hall in Keswick.
Wasdale to Keswick
BGR runners always say that there is no easy way out of Wasdale, and standing at the Wasdale campsite you can see why. Looking at Scafell that's good 800 meters ascent. The opposite side of the valley is looked over by Yewbarrow. Steep and relentless and as soon as you reach the highest point you're looking at descending most of the altitude gained before ascending it and running towards Red Pike and Scoat Fell.
We caught up with Matt again at Honister and filmed while ascending Dale head. Here Matts's support crew grew considerably and took him onto Robinson - the last peak in BGR and "just a stone's throw" to Keswick. 22 hours in the challenge was starting to take it's toll on his knees and as Matt said " they started to feel a bit warm" on descent from Robinson.
We caught up with Matt again at Honister and filmed while ascending Dale head. Here Matts's support crew grew considerably and took him onto Robinson - the last peak in BGR and "just a stone's throw" to Keswick. 22 hours in the challenge was starting to take it's toll on his knees and as Matt said " they started to feel a bit warm" on descent from Robinson.