JAMES Gibson has set a winter ultra running record by achieving solo sub-24 hours completion of the 'big three' trails. 

Lake District-based James, who is sponsored by inov-8, ran the Bob Graham Round in the Lakes, Paddy Buckley Round (Snowdonia, Wales) and Charlie Ramsay Round (Highlands, Scotland). 

He battled deep snow, treacherous ice and brutal blizzards to become the first person to achieve solo and unsupported sub-24-hour completion of all three mountain rounds in winter in one season. 

He ran the 66 mile 42-peak Bob Graham in December last year (21hrs 12mins), and then the 61-mile, 47-peak Paddy Buckley in early February (23hrs 2minutes). 

He completed the ‘Big Three’ project this past weekend when he ran the 58-mile, 24-peak Ramsay Round (23hrs 9mins).

That totals 185 winter mountain miles in 67hrs 23mins with a total ascent of 75,000ft which is two-and-a-half times the equivalent height of Mount Everest. During the three rounds, James also bagged the highest peaks in England (Scafell Pike), Wales (Snowdon) and Scotland (Ben Nevis).

He said: “I’m psyched to finally complete my project for the season. It took some perseverance and effort to keep coming back and trying, but I’m glad I did."