Ultra Endurance Challenges

Bob Graham Round (England)

A legendary 66-mile fell running challenge in the Lake District, covering 42 peaks and over 27,000 ft of ascent, completed within 24 hours. Website

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• Fastest overall women’s time — Beth Pascall (UK) — 14h 34m, clockwise — age 32, 24 July 2020

• Fastest winter women’s time — Henriette Albon (Norway) — 17h 55m, 19 December 2023

 

The Wainwrights Round (England)

A continuous round of all 214 Wainwright summits in the Lake District, inspired by Alfred Wainwright’s guidebooks.

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• Fastest women’s time — Sabrina Verjee (UK) — 5 days 23h 49m, 17 June 2021

 

Steve Parr Round (England)

A 116-mile challenge over 61 peaks and 42,550 ft of ascent, designed by fell runner Steve Parr, typically completed in under 48 hours.

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• Fastest women’s time — Carol Morgan (Ireland) — 37h 11m, 9 April 2023

 

Ramsay Round (Scotland)

A 58-mile mountain challenge in Lochaber, Scotland, covering 24 Munros and over 28,500 ft of ascent, to be completed within 24 hours. Website

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• Fastest women’s time — Jasmin Paris (UK) — 16h 13m, June 2016

 

Paddy Buckley Round (Wales)

A 61-mile circuit over 47 peaks in Snowdonia, North Wales, involving around 28,000 ft of ascent.

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• Fastest women’s time — Lizzie Richardson (UK) — 17h 22m, 2023

 

The Big 3 Rounds (UK)

Collectively, the Bob Graham (England), Ramsay (Scotland), and Paddy Buckley (Wales) rounds — three of the toughest 24-hour mountain running challenges in the UK.

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• First women to complete all three in one season — Helene Diamantides (UK) (1989) — Jasmin Paris (UK) (2016)

• Only person to complete all three as double rounds — Nicky Spinks (UK) — Bob Graham 45h 30m (2016); Ramsay 55h 56m (2018); Paddy Buckley 57h 27m (2019)

 

Lake District 24-Hour Fell Record (England)

A test of endurance to summit as many Lake District peaks as possible within 24 hours — a true measure of stamina, navigation, and strength.

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• Women’s 24 Hour Fell Record — Fiona Pascall (UK) — 68 peaks — 23h 26m, 2022

 

RAAM – Race Across America (USA)

One of the toughest ultra-distance cycling races in the world, spanning 2,912 miles from Oceanside, California, to Annapolis, Maryland. The clock runs continuously from start to finish. Website

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• Fastest woman — Seana Hogan (USA) — 13.23 mph average over 2,912 miles, 1995

• First woman to win the overall solo division — Leah Goldstein (Canada) — 11d 3h 3m, 2021

• Youngest solo female finisher — Shelby Hayden-Clifton (USA) — age 24

• Most finishes (women) — 9, most solo wins (women) — 6, and oldest solo female finisher — Seana Hogan (USA) — age 60

 

The Spine Race (UK)

Known as “Britain’s most brutal race,” this 268-mile ultra follows the entire Pennine Way, with both winter and summer editions. Website

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• First woman to win overall & set a course record — Jasmin Paris (UK) — 83h 12m 23s, 2019

 

Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race (USA)

The world’s longest certified footrace, held annually in New York City. Runners must cover about two marathons a day from 6 AM to midnight for 52 consecutive days.

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• Women’s record — Kaneenika Janakova (Slovakia) — 48 days 14h 24m 10s, 2017

• The only person to have completed every edition of the race (until 2009) — Suprabha Beckjord (USA)