Sabrina Verjee on her final Wainwright, Lingmoor. Photo: Steve Ashworth
Endurance athlete Sabrina Verjee has set a new record for completing all 214 Wainwright fells.
She arrived back at her starting point in Great Langdale on Thursday morning, 5 days 23hrs 49mins 12secs after beginning her challenge.
Her time beat the record set by Paul Tierney in 2019 by more than six hours and is the first to be achieved in less than six days.
It was third time lucky for Verjee, 40, who had to abort a similar attempt in May when sub-zero temperatures and blizzards exacerbated her asthma, putting an end to her run. She had completed the Wainwrights once previously in but publicly stated she did not want her 6 days 17hrs 51mins to be considered for the records as she had needed substantial support from fellow runners after suffering a knee injury.
Speaking after her round, she said: “I am very tired and very happy. This time, my body held out better than I expected and I was able to maintain a good pace throughout.
“The Wainwrights have become an obsession and I felt that I could and should complete a round in under six days, so I am over the moon to have proved myself right.
“Once again, I had a big support group and they have all been absolutely amazing. I could not have done this without them – it was a fantastic team effort. More than anything, it has been brilliant to spend even more time out on the glorious Lakeland fells in the company of good friends.
“And if what I have done inspires more people, especially girls and women, to get out there and challenge themselves, then that’s an added bonus.”
Sabrina Verjee arrives at the finish in Great Langdale. Photo: Steve Ashworth
The challenge involves completing all the peaks described by Alfred Wainwright in his Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells.
In May this year, runner Tom Hollins set a time of 6 days 21hrs 33mins 8secs to complete the Wainwrights round in brutal weather conditions, fourth-fastest overall, but considered by many to be the third-fastest because of Verjee’s statement following her 2020 challenge.
Paul Tierney set a new fastest time for running the round in 2019, completing the route in 6 days 6hrs 5mins, beating Steve Birkinshaw’s previous record of 6 days 12hrs 58mins.
Before that, Joss Naylor held the fastest time, 7 days 1hr 25mins, beating Alan Heaton’s time of 9 days 16hrs 42mins. Mel Steventon completed a round of the Wainwrights in September last year in a time of 13 days 12hrs 16mins 21secs, while raising money for Women’s Aid and Community Action Nepal. If Verjee’s 2020 time is discounted, this was the fastest known woman’s time until today.
Along with her husband Ben and a large group of willing friends and fellow runners, Verjee was supported by sponsors Berghaus, La Sportiva, Petzl, Dexshell, Supernatural Fuel, Gingerbakers and Mountain Fuel. Her 2021 rounds have been filmed and photographed by Steve Ashworth and Summit Fever Media, supported by La Sportiva, Berghaus and Right Lines Communications.
Is this the path to…
17 June 2021WOW, I can't believe she actually said this:
“And if what I have done inspires more people, especially girls and women, to get out there and challenge themselves, then that’s an added bonus.”
Imagine if a man had broken the record and said the same thing only for "boys and men". No doubt he'd be accused of all sorts of things.
Fliss A
17 June 2021It's a well publicised fact that there are very many fewer females taking part in lots of different sports than there are men. This is historical/based on traditional roles but many women still feel intimidated about getting out there. I have never felt like this and don't really understand it but it's a fact. Whether its walking in the hills, running ultras, taking part in tris, etc women are under represented and these sports are trying to encourage more women so they have a more balanced field.
In an ideal world no discrimination should be necessary but the world is not ideal and positive discrimination is not bad. If a man said something encouraging to inspire a group of under represented males I wouldn't have a problem with it at all and think it very sad that this is the only thing you can think of to say to celebrate this phenomenal achievement.
Allan Pearson
17 June 2021WOW, what an achievement! And in a mini-heatwave too. Well done!
Not to take anything away from Verjee's achievement (or any of the others) but I wonder what the record for an unsupported round would be.
Phil
17 June 2021Really well put, Fliss.
Super effort and achievement Sabs, really amazing!
Mike W
17 June 2021Simply fantastic! To come back again and again, and finally get this record speaks volumes for her grit and determination. So so pleased for her to get this.
[ Re' the detracting side story - Let's celebrate the positive, and without any caveat.]
barry davies
17 June 2021Re - unsupported record, I would think that it would be very unwise to be out on the fells on your own especially in the dark .
FellrunnerH
17 June 2021Already is an unsupported record and it was broken again just recently, in May I believe by a Christopher Gaskin. Completing it 11 days.
But anyway, brilliant achievement by Sabrina. A fantastic role model to all.
KentishFells
17 June 2021I really wish the the moderators would remove the first comment - it irks that that will be the first that people read.
Not all, but many women grow up believing they cannot outperform men; they can, and Ultra Running often demonstrates that they do.
Anyone who truly believes that women are not (generally) conditioned to lower expectations - and therefore benefit from fantastic role models such as Sabrina - lives in a different quadrant of the multiverse from me!
Bev Wilson
17 June 2021#KentishFells
I'm not sure what your comment has any relevance to the first comment. It says nothing at all about women being lower performers than men.
As a lady fell walker I have to say the person who made the first comment does have a point.
Mike W
17 June 2021Don't want to divert from this tremendous achievement but if anyone wants more details on the 'unsupported' FKT (as FellRunnerH says above - by Christopher Gaskin in 11.5days):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-57305485
CONGRATULATIONS again to Sabrina!!
Colin
17 June 2021That whole first post hinges on "Imagine if...". Verjee's achievement is real and totally inspiring. Nice one Sabrina!
Old Git
18 June 2021Wow, another record broken. Was funny but getting silly now. There appears to be nothing left but challenges, record breaking and "look at me!" Sorry but I am just not interested.
Colin
18 June 2021Thanks for letting us know you are not interested.
Ian S
18 June 2021The first comment shouldn't be removed, even if I disagree with it, as I don't believe in censorship, or the opinion of one person being absolute.
As for the challenge: What a superb achievement.
I also think that it's not just an achievement by a woman, but it's also an achievement by someone who is 40 years old. I'm 56 now. and I know how age reduces stamina and strength compared to younger years. This is an incredible achievement for a 40 year old.
Sabrina, by any standards you are a World class athlete. I doubt that any top class marathon runners would class themselves above you. They could beat you on the flat, but not on the fells. That takes a different class of athlete.
Outstanding achievement.