65 miles, 27,000 feet
The grandaddy of all long distance runs in the UK and by far the most
popular 24 hour run. Apart from the heathery miles out to Great Calva
and back, the BG is a lovely line, linking much of the best of the
Lakes' ridges. You have to register beforehand to be eligible for the
club and your certificate. I've completed it four times within the 24
hours and once, a heartbreaking 3 minutes over the allotted time on my
first winter attempt.
In fact this was my very first long run in the mountains and I only just managed to squeak below the 24 hour mark having done everything wrong - started too fast, didn't eat early enough, got soaking wet, was demoralised when my support ran off ahead and survived on a few boiled sweets for the last 9 hours. My support didn't think I'd get out of my chair at Dunmail, but I did and went on to do many, many more rounds, including a winter BG. This was a somewhat more protracted affair, since it took five further attempts after the near first miss. In a way this was a blessing, as I experienced some remarkable days in thick snow and was only halted when well advanced on one attempt by an impending storm that cut off Keswick.
The BG may have become a bit of a circus in mid Summer with a well-worn trod all the way round and even its own map, but it still forms an integral part of any long distance fellrunner's CV.
20-21 June 1998 - account, schedule
17 December 2005 - account, schedule, photos
26 May 2007 - account, photos, video
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| Pike O Stickle - middle of the round |
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