A KENDAL business owner has successfully completed an endurance feat billed as the world's toughest mountain race.

Robert Crawford, 41, amassed more than 60 hours of running over treacherous terrain in the Welsh mountains as he took part in the Berghaus Dragon's Back Race.

The five-day race in North Wales comprised of 315km and more than 15,500 metres of ascent. 223 people from 24 countries lined up at the start. Only 127 finished the gruelling event.

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"I've done all the fell races locally but this pushes boundaries to new levels," said Crawford, who owns Different Strokes, a Kendal-based painting and decorating company.

The race started at Conwy Castle on the northern coast, and five days later it came to a conclusion at Llandeilo. Of those who managed to get round the course, Crawford finished 63rd.

He said that after the realisation of just how challenging a race it would be, his sole aim quickly became to simply reach the finish.

It did not start well for Crawford, of Milnthorpe Road, though, as the guest house he was staying at had double booked his room meaning he spent the night before the event sleeping on the floor.

He said: "After the first day when I didn't feel anything like my best and the surprise of how tough it was going to be to get all the way round I just wanted to finish.

"But I wasn't going to give up until I ended up in a hospital bed.

"There were moments of absolutely crazy difficulties but it was an amazing adventure.

"I must say though everyone was so helpful and friendly. The support staff, the medical staff and the organisers were just incredible which massively helped what you're trying to achieve in getting to the finish."

Despite suffering from severe blisters and stiffness following his remarkable accomplishment, Crawford added he would be keen to reenter the event when it returns in two years time, and added he was hoping to enter the 400km, eight-day Cape Wrath Ultra event in Scotland.