Starting at Pooley Bridge it traverses the Lake District east to west and finishes at Joss's House in Wasdale.  The route covers 48 miles, has 16,000ft of ascent and goes to 30 summits, including High Street, Fairfield, Bowfell, Great Gable and Steeple.

Dennis Lucas of Rochdale Harriers & A.C. started at 4.00 am Sunday July 2nd, attempting the route with Mike Elwell of Saddleworth Runners. They touched the bridge at Pooley Bridge before traversing the High Street ridge and arriving at Kirkstone Pass at 7.30 for some refreshment. 

Climbing Red Screes , Fairfield and Seat Sandal good progress was made before some more food at Dunmail Raise at 10.00am. The temperature was very hot by this time with no breeze. Taking on plenty of water was vital as the third section is the longest and hardest - lots of climb and rough stuff.

(Picture 1 - Dennis Lucas (left) and Mike Elwell (right))

Styhead was another watering hole-support team had walked up from Wasdale Head. The climbs up Great Gable and Kirkfell were a real test of stamina and resolve. Mike stuggled to eat or drink anything after being sick but encouragement from Dennis and the support team plus a lot of bottle on Mike's part kept him going. 

Plodding up and down the big hills meant progress was steady but sure.

 (Picture 2 - Mike and Dennis on Steeple)

The penultimate climb up Seatallan was tedious (polite word for **g***) but who was sillhouetted against the skyline at the top? Joss Naylor. He had come out to meet Dennis and Mike and certainly gave a lift to the occasion.  He ran the last hour of the challenge with them.

 (Picture 3 - Dennis Lucas with living legend "Iron Joss")

It was uncomfortably warm descending off the last hill into the still air of the valley but the reward at the finish was to cool off in Greendale Beck knowing a hard challenge had been completed successfully. For their age group Dennis and Mike were 'allowed' 18 hours to complete the challenge run.

Joss does not want the run to be competitive so suffice to say we all were sat in the waters of Greendale Beck by 8.45 pm. It is moments like these that get us through winter nights.

Times and schedule are available from Dennis or Mike. Dennis was helped on the day by Malcolm Bird and John Armstrong from Rochdale Harriers & A.C. and numerous Saddleworth Runners - see the Saddleworth website for more detail.