Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I am running the Bob Graham Round in August and raising money in aid of the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team (Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1165345). I am starting at 9pm on the 16th August and you can follow my progress on this link: https://live.kongtracking.com/bgr2024/?b=100

What is the Bob Graham Round?

The Bob Graham Round is a 24-hour fell running challenge in the Lake District starting and finishing at the Keswick Moot Hall. The route is 42 mountains and is more than 100km and over 8000m of ascent and descent. This will be by far the biggest thing I have ever attempted.

I've been training extensively on my local Leckhampton Hill and have visited the Lakes numerous times to learn the route and support others. I'll be supported over the weekend by a team of family and friends.

Why Keswick Mountain Rescue Team?

I often stay in Keswick when visiting the Lakes. It is a great location with access to a lot of hills and decent public transport links!

The many Mountain Rescue teams around the country do a great job helping people and saving lives. They are all volunteers and have more call outs every year as more people enjoy our hills and countryside. In the nicest possible way, I hope I never need their help!

This year in particular, I have been reflecting on my links to those who help save lives outdoors. 10 years ago, I lost my best friend who was sailing across the Atlantic. The boat capsized and all 4 crew were lost at sea. James Male and I grew up together at the local Cub, Scout and Explorer groups and enjoyed many camps and trips away. James went into outdoor pursuits leadership and ultimately water sports while I went to university and the hills. James was an incredible person with a huge love of life. Losing James hit me really hard and I found it difficult for years to enjoy the outdoors and overcome the inherent risk that comes with being in the mountains.

Earlier this year I lost my Grandpa (Derrick Waters) at the age of 95. My Grandparents are passionate about the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the volunteers who help save lives at sea. Almost all of my Mum's family holidays were spent visiting life boat stations around the coast of the British Isles. I've not been on the water much as my passion is for the hills, mountains and exploring on foot!

Mountain Rescue are the equivalent organisation who will save a climber fallen off a crag, a farmer with an overturned motor bike, assist the emergency services in a flood or help stretcher any of us off the hill with a badly twisted ankle.

Why the Bob Graham?

I've wanted to run the Bob since reading "Feet in the Clouds" as a teenager. This book inspired me to join the mountaineering club at university which did fell running and mountain marathons (2 day mountain races involving navigation and camping). I also took up orienteering as a way to improve my navigation skills and have more local adventures. I started for the Ordnance Survey and got involved in the running club. In 2017 I started bagging the Wainwright fells and visiting the mountains more regularly, in particular with retired colleague John Horton. John ran the Bob Graham in 1996 and is a big inspiration. We have shared many amazing trips to the mountains together.

I have enjoyed introducing my girlfriend Nicole (also met through running at the OS) to the hills and sharing my love of the Lakes with her. Moving to Cheltenham to become an OS Surveyor 2.5 years ago has enabled me to train more specifically on the trails, meet more long distance runners and enjoy being a little closer to the Lakes. Nicole has been a constant support in everything that I have done (including preparing for this challenge).

I have overcome some mental and physical health challenges over the years. Last November, I was feeling fit and had had some good race results and decided the time was right to attempt the Bob Graham. I enjoyed a strong x-country season and have built up my training since March. I now feel ready to go and have an amazing team of friends (and friends of friends) keen to support me. They include orienteers and work colleagues from the OS Runners.

I would like to raise some money for Keswick Mountain Rescue Team as a thank you for all that they do and as a token of appreciation to all of the voluntary emergency rescue organisations. When I am finding it hard in the middle of the night, or 20 hours into my Bob Graham, that I have chosen to be out there putting myself through it for fun. Whereas the Mountain Rescue volunteers will head into the mountains, without question, at any hour, for any length of time, to save and look after you.

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