On Saturday 18th July I completed the Joss Naylor Challenge in under 12 hours... just! The route traverses 30 peaks over 48 miles of the Lake District, taking in 16,000 feet (4877m) of ascent (and leg-battering descent!), equivalent to two ascents and descents of Ben Nevis plus two of Snowdon for good measure. It was designed by legendary fell runner Joss Naylor in 1990 for over-50s, and the limit is 12 hours for 50-54 year old men. I reckon I was the 50th successful 50-54 year old male completer, though the online records are a few months old.

I wasn't sure if I was going to make it, so I didn't publicise it much or set up a fundraising page until now. And I almost didn't finish in time, being over ten minutes behind schedule for the last eight hours, peaking at a 21 minute deficit on Great End. Only on the last hell-for-leather descent did I creep back into the black, finishing three minutes inside the cut-off.

Part of the challenge is also to raise at least £100 for charity. WaterAid saves lives, I am proud to have supported them before, I know people who have worked for them, and they have a hopeful campaign message. It is an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. Only by tackling these three essentials in ways that last can people change their lives for good.

Clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene should be a normal part of everyone’s daily life. Without all three, people can’t live dignified, healthy lives. With all three, they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good.