Trackers: http://live.opentracking.co.uk/mountainfuel19/

Due to extreme weather conditions the challenge this weekend has been cancelled however we will endeavour to organise a new date within the next couple of months. 

Donations are still open up until the challenge can bet set, however if we're unable to get teams together by the end of April we'll carry out the prize draw based on everyone who has donated. There are some fantastic prizes and this is a great cause so please support if you haven't already done so.

*Win Prizes Simply make a donation and then state in the message to fundraiser comment box the which team you think will win the overall challenge and then share your donation to encourage more donations. If your selected team wins, you will be entered into our draw and could win a prize. And yes, you can make two donations to cover your bases ;-)

**Extra prizes - For the chance to win extra prizes after you've made your donation you can also go to our Facebook page (FB.me/MountainFuel), like the page and comment in the pinned post the team you think is going to win.

The Challenge On Saturday 9th February at 5am, Team Mountain Fuel will attempt to make fell running history with the first competitive Winter head-to-head  Billy Bland Challenge.Through the attempt we aim to raise much needed funds for Lake District Mountain Rescue teams.  Funds will be raised by people making pledges on which team team they think will be successful and live tracking will enable users to follow this exciting event. As an incentive for people to pledge there will be a prizes draw from correct pledges.  Prizes have been provided by Mountain Fuel Sports Nutrition, Salomon Running, Inov 8 - All Terrain, Scott Sports, VJ Sport and Mountain Run. Prizes will include running shoes, clothing and sports nutrition packages.

The challenge is based on the famous Bob Graham round and is a 66 mile, 42 peak challenge with a 24hr time limit It is considered one the biggest challenges in English fell running, involving a 26,350 ft of ascent up Skiddaw and Blencathra, over the Helvellyn range, the Langdale pikes, Scafell, Wasdale and Great Gable, starting and finishing at the Moot Hall in Keswick.

Two elite level mixed teams of 10 men and women will race against each other in an attempt to beat the legendary Billy Bland’s time of 13 hours 53 minutes, the record held for 38 years. Then depending on conditions, they will also be attempting to beat the incredible Kilian Jornet's 12 hours 52 minutes, which was set last summer on the Bob Graham Round. Each team will have two runners on each of the five legs and race as a relay. The teams are made up of a collective mix of ultra, trail and fell runners and include some of the countries best in their fields but winter conditions will make this a very challenging race for all involved.

Support from the world's best:

Kilian Jornet "Last year I had one of my most marvelous days out running the Bob Graham Round, it is harder than one can imagine, and on this technical mountains where the weather can change in any moment it is precious to have a Mountain Rescue Team who can help any of us when we do our adventures or just go for a hike - Guess what these teams can do in the Bob Graham Round, if they can beat my time and help the Mountain Rescue Team to protect all of us, I'll be delighted” 

Billy Bland "Good luck to all the runners and what a fantastic cause, raising money for Mountain Rescue. It's a pleasure to be associated with a challenge like this, but it should be called Kilian Jornet challenge now, especially with quality of the runners who are supporting the event. If the teams can beat our times and raise a lot of money at the same time I'll be delighted so please give what you can." (Bob Graham Record holder 1982 to 2018)

The teams Mounsey's Marauders  v Lightfoot's Legends

Leg 1 Distance: 12.5 miles, Ascent: c.5150ft, Fells/Mountains: 3
Billy's time: 2hr 16 mins  Kilian's time: 2hr 07 mins Target time: 2 hr 40 mins (Good conditions)  3 hr 05 mins (Snow/Ice conditions) 

Sophie Noon/Mark Likeman v Kirsty Hall/Paul Haigh

Leg 2 Distance: 13.2 miles, Ascent: c.5900ft, Fells/Mountains: 12
Billy's time: 2hr 44 mins  Kilian's time: 2hr 31 mins Target Time: 2 hrs 25 mins (Good conditions)  2 hr 55 mins (Snow/Ice conditions) 

Ben Mounsey/Joe Baxter v Carl Bell/Brennan Townshend

Leg 3: Distance: 15.2 miles, Ascent: c.6500ft, Fells/Mountains: 15
Billy's time: 3hr 45 mins  Kilian's time: 3hr 31 mins Target time: 3 hr 35 mins (Good conditions)  4 hr 20 mins (Snow/Ice conditions) 

Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn/Charlie Sproson v Carl Bell/Brennan Townshend

Leg 4: Distance: 10 miles, Ascent: c.6300ft,  Fells/Mountains: 9
Billy's time: 3hr 20 mins  Kilian's time: 2hr 56 mins Target time: 2 hr 30mins (Good conditions)  3 hr 05 mins (Snow/Ice conditions) 

James Appleton/Mark Lamb v Ricky Lightfoot/Sam Stead

Leg 5: Distance: 10.6 miles, Ascent: c.2500ft, Fells/Mountains: 3
Billy's time: 1hr 53 mins  Kilian's time: 1hr 46 mins Target time: 1 hr 30mins (Good conditions)  1 hr 45 mins (Snow/Ice conditions) 

Martin Howard/Tom Durcan v Jacob Snochowski/Michael Lesniak

Billy's Record: 13 hr 53 mins Kilian's Record: 12:52 Team target: 12:40

The Prize list (current list)

Mountain Fuel Sports Nutrition taster packs, two pairs of Salomon trainers (choice of any apart from S-labs), Salomon soft flasks, Inov 8 waterproof jacket, Inov 8 socks, Inov 8 caps, two pairs Scott Sports Suptrac RC's, VJ Sports Running shoes, race entries from LakeDistrictSkytrails for the Scafell Skyrace & Wansfell Fell race, Mountain Run 'Running with Poles' session & Nics Nordic Walking 'Fast Track' session. 

Exclusive Challenge Discount

If you want to fuel like the team then you can use the code WinterBilly at www.mountainfuel.co.uk to save 15% on all Mountain Fuel Sports Nutrition products. 

*/** We can send prizes to UK addresses, if you are outside of the UK, you can still enter but you would have to pay for postage to receive your prize.

Pic: Colin Morley