TWO Kendal runners have joined an exclusive list of people to complete one of the toughest endurance feats in the UK.

Jim Loudon and Matt Beresford became the 102nd and 103rd people to complete the gruelling 58-mile Ramsay Round near Fort William in Scotland.

Taking in 23 mountains taller than 3,000 feet – called Munros – entrants must complete the route, which includes Britain's highest mountain Ben Nevis, within 24 hours.

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The thigh-burning excursion includes 28,500ft of climbing, nearly as much as an ascent of Mt Everest.

The Kendal AC members completed the round in 23 hours and 10 minutes.

"We were so satisfied and elated to get round and that we did it as a pair," said Matt, 49, who teaches at Stramongate Primary School, Kendal.

"There's always a danger that one of you might get injured or one might be faster but it was great that we kept together. Now we're back I can't quite believe we've really done it."

His long-time running partner added: "We went through the whole thing together. There were big hugs at the end."

The Hamilton-born 55-year-old runner paid tribute to Kendal AC and Ambleside AC members that supported the duo through their journey.

"It's the sacrifice of others that has allowed us to succeed," he said. "Matt and I only completed it because others helped us.

"That's the thing about fell running, people will do that for you and get nothing out of it other than the camaraderie in the hope that one day you might help them and it's an amazing thing."

The Ramsay Round originates from 1978 when Edinburgh man Charlie Ramsay became the first person to complete the route within 24 hours when he managed a time of 23 hours and 58 minutes.