A record-breaking adventurer said he was ‘stunned’ to have finished second place in an epic ultra-marathon 106km event with 200 other participants.

Alex Staniforth, founder of mental health charity Mind Over Mountains, crossed the finish line at the 7 Valleys Ultra event in a time of 13 hours, 34 minutes and 19 seconds in his first Ultra since COVID.

The mammoth trail started at 6:00 am on September 30 from Waterhead, Ambleside and finished in Keswick, and saw participants run alongside lakes before climbing to an ascent of 3495m over fells and valleys in the Lake District.

“As we climbed out of Langdale, my mind was already looking for a good reason to quit at Borrowdale,” said Alex, from Kendal.

“However after Ambleside I saw I’d somehow ended up in third - then it was game on. The other runner confessed he was in unknown territory and I took second coming down Scandale. I held onto the gap for dear life and didn’t dare to walk unless I really had to.

“I’m stunned that I managed to finish second. It was definitely a bonus because I was quietly aiming for a top-ten finish.

“In terms of adventures I’ve certainly hit all of my goals for the year which I’m really chuffed about.”

It comes after the motivational international speaker and author of two books conquered his fears just one week prior by swimming the length of Wastwater Lake at 3.1 miles.

READ MORE HERE: Cumbrian man conquers fears by swimming length of Lake District lake

Alex is now planning to have a few easy weeks before building up his strength and endurance for a trip he has booked in December to try and climb Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America in Argentina at 6961m.