Spike & The Bob Graham Round
Spike Ambrey Smith has joined an elite group of runners after successfully completing The Bob Graham Round, which was made all the more incredible as he run the majority of the 66 mile route alone.
Starting from the Moot Hall in Keswick centre at 3am on Saturday morning, Spike was accompanied by Paul Walker for first leg and later joined by Ben Imeson. Along the route he had to battle terrible weather conditions including strong winds, rain and mist, which even had the support team amazed that he was not only carrying on but completing each leg within the time schedule required.
Supported at stops along the way by friends and family, Spike battled against the elements to ascend a total of 27,000 feet while conquering 42 of the highest peaks in the English Lake District in 22 hours 8 minutes, well within the 24 hours limit.
The challenge was first completed way back in 1932 by Bob Graham, hotelier of Keswick, Cumberland, at the age of 42, and his 42 Peak Round has become a testing ground for the supremely fit. Each summer around 100 of the most highly tuned ultra-distance fell runners will attempt the course, and only one in three will return to the Keswick Moot Hall before the clock runs down.