AUSTERLANDS’ GAYNOR Keane took on – and completed – the challenge of a lifetime, running 66 miles while climbing 42 of the highest peaks in the English Lake District, within the 24-hour time limit.
After a year of training, Gaynor, 39, a member of Saddleworth Runners, set off from the Moot Hall, Keswick. She completed the round in 23hrs 37mins, becoming only the 146th woman to achieve membership to the Bob Graham Club.
Started by its namesake Bob Graham, a Keswick hotelier, in 1932, the challenge involves a 66-mile run with 27,000ft of ascent, which includes England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, within the allotted 24 hours. Of the 100 ultra-distance fell runners who attempt the challenge every summer, only one in three will return before the clock runs down.
The total ascents are equivalent to climbing higher than Everest from sea level over very arduous terrain, and at times in very serious weather conditions, sometimes with little or no visibility.
Gaynor, who works in community health for the NHS, said: “The round was amazing. I was so well looked after throughout my attempt by more than 30 members of Saddleworth Runners Club who helped me navigate, ran in stages with me and ensured I was getting sufficient nutrition over the 24 hours. I’m proud to run with them. I can remember each and every minute of the challenge, but dropping down from the clouds into Honister was phenomenal; there were so many people cheering me on I thought I was hallucinating.”
Gaynor’s next challenge is a little nearer home. She hopes to complete Oldham Community Leisure’s Milltown to Moors Race Series, which includes a 10k on August 17 and ends with the formidable Milltown to Moors Oldham Half Marathon on October 12.
To find out more about the Milltown Race series log on to www.milltownraceseries.co.uk
For more information about the Bob Graham Club visit www.bobgrahamclub.org.uk/
Saddleworth Runners meet on Tuesdays, Ladies on Wednesdays, and a development group on Thursdays. For more information visit www.saddleworth-runners.co.uk
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