Alex Conquers Bob Graham Round
After a year of preparing and practicing the course, Alex Fawcett proved hard work does pay off as he completed the epic Bob Graham Round challenge on Saturday, recording a fantastic time of 20 hours 39 minutes for the 70 mile challenge. The course starts and finishes at Moot Hall in Keswick, and takes in 42 peaks, including all the highest Lakeland Fells such as Skiddaw, Blencathra, Helvellyn, Scafell Pike, Pillar and Great Gable. In total the course has approximately 29,000 foot of ascent.
A perfect day weather wise gave stunning views from each summit for Alex and his support runners, who were with him on each of the five legs. Many Ripon members took their turn to do one or more sections including Paul Walker, Gary Bastow, Jim Berriman, Billy Foreman, Pete Chapman, Spike Ambrey Smith, Paul Nelson (Wetherby), Paul Shears, Ben Imeson, James Boddy, Jill Holt, Lucas Fawcett, Ben Pease, Mark Dalton.
Waiting at each checkpoint to ensure Alex had food, water and spare kit was Jonathan Baker along with Alex’s Dad and daughter Bea. Before running Leg 5, Jill Holt was ‘taxi’ to ensure support runners got to and from the various checkpoints. Graham Haycock and Matthew Holt provided food at two points along the route.