A Failed BGR - When Defeat Tastes Sweet

March 02, 2022

The Bob Graham Round is a fell running challenge in the English Lake District. It is named after Bob Graham, a Keswick guest-house owner, who in June 1932 broke the Lakeland Fell record by traversing 42 fells within a 24-hour period. Traversing the 42 fells, starting and finishing at Keswick Moot Hall, involves 66 miles (106 km) with 26,900 feet (8,200 m) of ascent.

Here Sarah Perry describes her most recent adventure.

Photo Credit: Summit Crazy

I'm Northern and I used to spend February half-term breaks climbing Lake District hills in wellington boots as a kid- what more did I need to justify a winter BGR attempt?

Despite my last challenge being triple the distance and matching the elevation; I couldn't quite shake the knot of anticipation in my stomach as I counted down the last few minutes before departing from Moot Hall. I'm usually relatively calm when beginning an ultra- all I have to do is run - I do it most days it's really not too difficult. The closer it got, the clearer the fact became - this was well out of my comfort zone.

Photo Credit: Summit Crazy

My first experience of the BGR was my brother's completion in 2016; it didn't sit on my mind too much and I didn't give it a thought again until I was knee deep in ultra-running. Don't get me wrong, I know I'm not a fell runner, I've never claimed to be (it's not just a dislike for bumbags and vests I promise). The BG appealed to me due to a large serving of appreciation for the route, a drizzle of hope that this could be within my reach and most importantly, an overwhelming dollop of good old sibling rivalry.

Photo Credit: Summit Crazy

Of course there were questions about the weather forecast the week before - it'd hardly be fair to do a winter round in glorious sunshine. The wind was set to be on the gusty side however we decided that conditions weren't bad enough to not start, but that we'd see what happened. Being a teacher means that challenges have to fit in neatly around 6 week blocks; if I have a few things on the cards it's a logistical nightmare deferring and rearranging. Clearly it's not just a calendar issue though, I hardly want to lead a group of selfless super-runners to their deaths. I'd probably be blacklisted, if there's a BG list for that.

As I plodded through Keswick and started the first of many slogs up, my nerves eased and that familiar feeling of 'just running' washed over me; a bit of 'just see' mixed in and 'it's an attempt' formed the cherry on top.

Photo Credit: Summit Crazy

If you've stopped by for a hill by hill account, you've come to the wrong place. The first two legs consisted of a few hills in the dark, some snow and some fog (clag if you're in a CA postcode). Leg three was leg three with some more snow, ice and a guest appearance from the spikes and ice-axes. Leg four and five just blew me away quite literally: winds and the most beautiful sunset. When I arrived back in Keswick, I was pleased to find that the local pub crawlers looked almost as disheveled as me; they were probably having more fun though. Fashionably late as ever and jittery after eating copious amounts of sugary snacks, I plodded up the high street to touch the hall once again. Strangely, I couldn't match an emotion to the moment: perhaps a bizarre mix of relief, gratitude and disappointment.

Photo Credit: Summit Crazy

I've learnt a lot. The BG requires a due amount of respect prior to sauntering up to the hall for your start line pictures. Am I worthy of saying I prepared well? I believe so; I've paid my £5 at the Honister carpark at least four times in the last two months. I've trudged out in all weathers in an attempt to acquire some hill legs. One tip though, I'm testament to the fact that no amount of watching Nicky Spinks eating beans between BG legs on YouTube can prepare you for the challenge.

Photo Credit: Steve Rhodes

Do I have a bruised ego to match my bruised bottom? Not really. I took control of a bad outcome and turned it into a win of sorts. It's a well-loved family motto that you should persevere and finish off what you started. The problem is that I haven't finished, not properly.

Photo Credit: Steve Rhodes

Failings aside, I had an epic adventure and learned a great deal. As always, my support team was outstanding and most of the disappointment I felt was because of the ridiculous sacrifices that each of them had made to be there. Words can't describe the gratitude I felt to have each and every one of them there; I'd be pretty miffed to travel 200 miles and then drive around all night all just to see my sulky face emerge from the hills.

Photo Credit: Luke Kennedy

I have a feeling that Honister will be seeing a few more of my fivers in the coming months. I might even try a comeback in a vest and a bumbag: I think they call it marginal gains - it's worth a shot.