A KENDAL primary school teacher has set a new fastest time for one of the lesser-known Lake District endurance feats.

Dan Duxbury blitzed the record for the Frog Graham Round on Sunday by finishing in under 12 hours. The previous record was just under 14 hours.

The Frog Graham Round is a fell-running and swimming challenge that was created by Peter Hayes who was inspired by the classic Bob Graham Round - a 66-mile Lake District challenge covering 42 peaks - but with an added twist.

Along with covering just over 40 miles and ascending and descending 15,750 feet over the Lakeland Fells, the challenger must swim across Bassenthwaite Lake, Crummock Water, Buttermere and Derwentwater before finishing where it all started at Keswick’s Moot Hall.

Mr Duxbury, 43, who lives on Windermere Road, Kendal, said he was delighted with his effort but believed his time could easily be broken.

"I've got a few friends who intend on giving it a go so I was keen to do it as fast possible to set them a good time that they may find tough to beat," he said.

"There are plenty of people who could get round faster than I did but I'm really pleased, it couldn't have gone any better for me."

Mr Duxbury, a teacher at Ghyllside School, was keen to try a different challenge having already completed a Bob Graham Round in the past.

"I've had my eye on this for a couple of years," said the Ambleside AC member. "For a lot of fell runners, myself included, the challenge with this is the swimming because it adds that extra dimension.

"I'm not much of a swimmer and that was the bit I was most worried about before. But on the day it was enjoyable and it gave my legs a bit of a rest from the running. It did take it out of me and I had a few low points but it was perfect conditions for an attempt."