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Runners make use of the long days to tackle the Bob Graham Round Runners make use of the long days to tackle the Bob Graham Round
(4 months later)
Drivers summiting Dunmail Raise between Grasmere and the head of Thirlmere cannot help but notice the vans, caravanettes and cars pulled up on verge by the dual carriageway, just below the cairn where King Dunmail is said to be buried. They are the support parties for fell runners attempting the Bob Graham Round of 42 peaks, 66 miles and 27,000ft of ascent – all within 24 hours.Drivers summiting Dunmail Raise between Grasmere and the head of Thirlmere cannot help but notice the vans, caravanettes and cars pulled up on verge by the dual carriageway, just below the cairn where King Dunmail is said to be buried. They are the support parties for fell runners attempting the Bob Graham Round of 42 peaks, 66 miles and 27,000ft of ascent – all within 24 hours.
What better time to tackle this epic, which starts and finishes at the Moot Hall in Keswick, than near the solstice with its optimum daylight. There they go at various times around midnight, jogging through an alleyway and out towards the first peak – mighty Skiddaw – with support pacers setting the trail. Two other shapely mountains follow: Great Calva is set alone, a Cinderella among a hinterland of desolate fells; then Blencathra, its ridges plunging towards Threlkeld village like the pleats of a kilt.What better time to tackle this epic, which starts and finishes at the Moot Hall in Keswick, than near the solstice with its optimum daylight. There they go at various times around midnight, jogging through an alleyway and out towards the first peak – mighty Skiddaw – with support pacers setting the trail. Two other shapely mountains follow: Great Calva is set alone, a Cinderella among a hinterland of desolate fells; then Blencathra, its ridges plunging towards Threlkeld village like the pleats of a kilt.
After changing pacers, runners head for Dunmail Raise over the Helvellyn range, first climbing perpendicular Clough Head, where paragliders soar like thistledown, possibly even floating along the ridge above the runners. Dunmail Raise gives time to relax as support teams provide warm drinks, leg massages and encouragement as traffic whizzes past.After changing pacers, runners head for Dunmail Raise over the Helvellyn range, first climbing perpendicular Clough Head, where paragliders soar like thistledown, possibly even floating along the ridge above the runners. Dunmail Raise gives time to relax as support teams provide warm drinks, leg massages and encouragement as traffic whizzes past.
The next leg to Wasdale, over the central Lakeland fells, is testing, with most runners descending the treacherous rock step of Broad Stand on crag-girt Scafell with the safety of a rope. Honister Pass follows but only after weary legs have traversed the Wasdale skyline which includes Pillar – where Herdwick sheep bully walkers who are sitting by the cairn for sandwich scraps – and Great Gable. Phew. At the last gasp runners face the final furlong over Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson, followed by five footsore miles of road down Beatrix Potter's beloved Newlands Valley back to the Moot Hall, below the clock tower from where they started out, hopefully less than 24 hours before.The next leg to Wasdale, over the central Lakeland fells, is testing, with most runners descending the treacherous rock step of Broad Stand on crag-girt Scafell with the safety of a rope. Honister Pass follows but only after weary legs have traversed the Wasdale skyline which includes Pillar – where Herdwick sheep bully walkers who are sitting by the cairn for sandwich scraps – and Great Gable. Phew. At the last gasp runners face the final furlong over Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson, followed by five footsore miles of road down Beatrix Potter's beloved Newlands Valley back to the Moot Hall, below the clock tower from where they started out, hopefully less than 24 hours before.
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