HUNDREDS of supporters flocked to Keswick to watch a Lake District runner set a new record for running all 214 Wainwright peaks in the quickest time.
The remarkable achievement was set by Ambleside AC's Paul Tierney who covered around 320 miles with 118,000ft of ascent.
The previous record of 6 days 13 hours and one minute was set by Steve Birkinshaw in 2014.
The Gazette understands that Mr Tierney, from Windermere, has achieved the challenge in six days and six hours thus breaking the five-year record.
He’s done it! @paulmissinglink has broken the record time for summiting all 214 Alfred Wainwright’s Lake Distirct fells in one go. #inov8 #GetAGrip #wainwrights214 pic.twitter.com/OfHmL2ThMH
— inov-8 (@inov_8) June 20, 2019
He left on Friday morning at 8am from Keswick in a bid to beat Steve Birkinshaw's record and returned this afternoon at around 2pm.
Peak number 207 (Ard Crags) ✅ @paulmissinglink closing in on a new record time for summitting all 214 of Alfred Wainwright’s Lake District fells.
— inov-8 (@inov_8) June 20, 2019
He’s been on the go for 6 days & 2 hours!
👉 https://t.co/yQpTMh8PHK#inov8 #GetAGrip #wainwrights214 pic.twitter.com/dn1Ek3hWwq
Originally from Cork, the Irish international trail runner said he was doing the epic challenge to raise money for the mental health charity MIND, in memory of his close friend and fellow athlete Chris Stirling.
You still have time to donate to the charity through the justgiving page by clicking here.
Mr Tierney has so far raised more than £16,000 for charity.
Steve Birkinshaw was amongst those who ran some parts of the challenge with the South Lakes athlete.
To see his timings click here.
More to follow in next week's edition of The Westmorland Gazette.
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