Innov8 athlete Adam Perry
Ultrarunner Adam Perry had to abandon his attempt to break an 18-year-old Lake District record.
The Helm Hill Runners member was aiming to complete 78 summits in 24 hours over the weekend.
But cramp and difficult conditions put him behind his planned timings and he gave up the challenge on Saturday on the top of Yewbarrow in Wasdale, having bagged 51 peaks.
Record holder Mark Hartell flew in from California to witness the younger man’s crack at his tally, established in 1997. Perry also had support and pacing from some of ultrarunning’s top names, including Kim Collison, Steve Birkinshaw, Ben Abdelnoor and Nicky Spinks, who holds the women’s 24-hour record at 64 summits.
Mark Hartell, whose record still stands
But Perry, who has won the classic Fellsman race in the Yorkshire Dales three times, failed in his bid, which would have seen him add Haycock to Hartell’s list to push the record up by one peak. He fell 12 minutes behind his schedule in Wasdale, and realised the record was then beyond his reach.
Adam Perry said: “I’d like to thank everyone for their unbelievable support. I feel humbled that so many people took time out to support me in person, follow my progress online and write such wonderful messages.
“It was a great day out running in England’s biggest mountains, I’m just sorry I couldn’t turn all the amazing goodwill into success.
“The weather early on was surprisingly hot and humid. To be honest, this took its toll and I struggled to get over this. I pushed hard but never really found a rhythm.
“Later in the day we lost time finding our way through the mist that had rolled in over the mountains and my quad muscles had also turned to stone.
“I decided to stop the attempt on the top of summit 51, Yewbarrow, after 61 miles and 27,000 feet of climb. I had run for 15 hours but was down on the record schedule I’d set myself and knew it wasn’t realistic to make up the time.”
The Lake District 24 Hours Challenge began as an extension of the Bob Graham Round, which involves summiting 42 fells in 24 hours, traditionally starting and ending at the Moot Hall in Keswick. The challenge is named after the Keswick guest-house owner who ran the 106km (66-mile) route with 8,200m (26,900ft) of ascent.
Adam Perry’s attempt would have involved more than 177km (110 miles) and 11,890m (39,000ft) of ascent. It was supported by footwear and clothing brand innov8.
