Source: https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2021/06/sabrina_verjee_sets_new_wainwrights_record-72802
Sabrina Verjee has completed a continuous round of the Wainwrights, in an amazing record time of 5 days, 23 hours, 49 minutes and 12 seconds, cutting over six hours from the previous fastest known time set in 2019 by Paul Tierney.
This was her third attempt at the round of all 214 Lakeland fells, which covers around 500km distance and includes roughly 36,000m ascent. Last summer the Lake District-based vet became the first woman to complete a continuous Wainwrights round, in a time of 6 days, 17 hours and 51 minutes, but a knee injury slowed her down and forced her to accept physical assistance during some technical descents. Then in autumn 2020 she was back in the news, running the fastest known female time on the Pennine Way:
In May 2021 Sabrina returned to the Wainwrights, seeking the record, but bad weather and asthma forced her to abandon what had hitherto been a strong showing.
She rested, recovered, and waited for a favourable weather window in June. A support team was ready to join her on the fells, so at short notice Sabrina decided to start another round, following the same route (and a similar schedule) to her previous run.
The third attempt started from her home in Langdale early last Friday morning, and she got off to a fast start. Over several days Sabrina pulled far ahead of her target time, and though the gap began to close as distance and fatigue took their toll, she managed to finish well ahead of schedule.
Her progress was tracked here, and made for some epic dot watching.
Speaking after her round, Sabrina said: "I am very tired and very happy. This time, my body held out better than I expected and I was able to maintain a good pace throughout. The Wainwrights have become an obsession and I felt that I could and should complete a round in under six days, so I am over the moon to have proved myself right.
"Once again, I had a big support group and they have all been absolutely amazing. I could not have done this without them – it was a fantastic team effort. More than anything, it has been brilliant to spend even more time out on the glorious Lakeland fells in the company of good friends. And if what I have done inspires more people – especially girls and women – to get out there and challenge themselves, then that's an added bonus."
Along with support from her husband Ben and a large group of willing friends and fellow runners, Sabrina was being supported by her sponsors.