James Gibson was the first to complete a winter Wainwrights round. Photo: Paul Holtom
Athlete James Gibson has completed his second full round of the Wainwrights in four months.
The Lake District-based runner finished his ‘summer’ challenge on Thursday afternoon, reaching the Moot Hall in Keswick six days five hours 23 minutes after setting off.
His time was the second-fastest for the gruelling run over all 214 fells detailed in Alfred Wainwright’s series of Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells, just over five hours longer than the time set by record holder Sabrina Verjee in June 2021.
Gibson, a member of the Lakeland Mountain Guides, completed the first known winter round of the Wainwrights in December last year. His latest challenge was completed in conditions little better than those he encountered four months ago and in far from typical summer weather.
The 30-year-old, from Rydal, who works at the Climbers’ Shop in Ambleside, celebrated his finish with a couple of beers at the Moot Hall with his support team.
His time is the fastest set by a man, bettering Paul Tierney’s 2019 completion by 41 minutes.
Completing all the peaks described by Alfred Wainwright in his Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells involves a distance of 318 miles (512km) run, with 36,000m (118,110ft) of ascent.
Old Git
08 April 2022If Alfred was alive today, surely he would turn in his grave.
Rod Hepplewhite
09 April 2022Agreed Old Git, but you have to remember that this has nothing to do with fell-walking and enjoying the fells for what they are or the views from them. It's a fell-runners' challenge, all about running between a series of checkpoints that just so happen to be 'Wainwright' summits and completing the challenge in the shortest time.
Sumiteer
10 April 2022The thing is, these people only do challenges in the name of Wainwright because otherwise no one would be interested in them. Using a successful persons name is the only way to get the attention they crave.
They go against everything Wainwright stood for, yet they still hijack his name.
#Old Git, You're absolutely right.
#Rod Hepplewhite. You're talking rubbish. If what you say is right, why do they attach his name to their challenges.
Jon
11 April 2022When I was young and fit and his age, I still could not have come anywhere remotely close to his achievement.
Hats off to the man.
Jon
Craig Sawyers
16 April 2022Lets not forget that Jos Nailor (OBE) did the Wainwrights in the 1980s. 7 days and 1 hour. There is a rare and wonderful book called "Jos Nailor OBE was here" which describes the challenge in detail, well pre web and navigation aids.
When Alfred Wainwright was still alive.
Thegingerhikes
28 April 2022No need to darken someone else's achievement. Not your monkey, not your circus!
Spread a little light guys, its amazing that Wainwrights guides continue to be a source of inspiration for so many.
People accessing the beautiful sights of the countryside whether running, hiking or taking a slow walk is a positive thing.