UPDATE: Unfortunately due to poor weather in the Lake District many routes have been blocked by fast flowing water.  This has made the challenge impossible to complete at this moment in time. It has been decided that it would be safest to postpone Gareth's 800m Lakes Challenge to a later date.  Further updates to follow...  Gareth is currently running an alternative challenge in the Peak District where conditions are far better. The challenge is 4 rounds of a 40 mile loop (160miles) in the same number of days.

Hi, my name is Gareth Sumner and I have a passion for long distance fell running. 

This challenge was thought up as a test for a mountain ultra runner. The route is simple - a complete round of every peak over 800m in the Lake District, starting from Windermere. There are 38 in total and the route is around 120 miles (193 km) long.  I work in an outdoor clothing and footwear shop in Northwich, Cheshire and will leave there after work on Saturday 18th September 2010 and will return in time to start my next shift on the following Thursday 23rd September 2010.

Unlike other such challenges this is planned to be a solo and unsupported run, so all kit must be carried. There will be no team to navigate, feed, shelter, pace or provide mental and physical support. So at 3am on a cold dark September night it will be my map reading and mental strength that gets me to the finish not the skill of a fresh map reader, it will be my shoulders, back and legs that carry the 30lb (14kg) pack around, not support runners and support crews with nice warm vehicles.

This was never designed or intended to be easy and the chance of failing to complete this challenge in the time allowed (between shifts at work) is quite high, as it requires running more than a marathon a day for 4 days, but with 10,000 feet of ascent per day.

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