That was tough. Hardest run I've ever done, what a punchy record from Brennan Townshend​ - huge thanks for such a great time to beat 🙏
Today didn't start as a record attempt - my main goal was to beat my PB on the route of 5:20 (ACW), and my optimistic goal was to come under 5hrs. Brennan and Ben Rotheray were the only two to come in under 5, so I snooped their splits a fair bit before setting off. I was behind on Brennan's time to Gatesgarth, but managed to get a bit of time back by running some of the High Stile climb (about as awful as it sounds) and descending somewhat recklessly (cheese-rolling fashion) down to the steps, with lots of falls. I was very much struggling with the pace at this point, and despite running a fair chunk of the climb up Whiteless and Thirdgill Head Man I couldn't match Brennan's time up there - seriously punchy!! Met my dad with some boiled potates (a most exemplary vegetable) and bombed it over to Hobcarton Crag, but the climb up there felt super slow and painful. Ran most of the climb up Grisedale, and managed to make okay pace over Eel Crag, Sail and Scar by jogging a fair few of the climbs, and by Rowling End was thinking sub 5 was in reach. It was only coming off Barrow that I did the maths and realised how close I'd be to Brennan's time, so it was all engines on for a last sprint back to Keswick. Just so so tough, but such a pleasure to be out on a fantastic route, and with such a competitive record to aim for.