UPDATE (Thursday April 7th): James Gibson today completed an epic continuous on-foot round of Alfred Wainwright’s 214 English Lake District peaks. The INOV8 ambassador battled appalling conditions to complete the 318-mile adventure in 6 days and 5 hours. Ferocious winds, driving rain and plummeting temperatures all hampered his attempt at Sabrina Verjee’s brilliant record (5 days, 23 hours & 49 mins), but he bravely fought on to become the first person to complete continuous Wainwrights rounds in two seasons – Winter 2021 and Spring 2022). A truly incredible achievement!
In December 2021, ultra runner and outdoor instructor James Gibson made history by becoming the first-ever person to complete a continuous on-foot winter round of Alfred Wainwright’s 214 English Lake District peaks.
Now, just four months later, the INOV8 ambassador is going to try and do it all again, only this time – hopefully – without the wild storms and deep snow!
Supported by family and friends, James achieved his incredible 318-mile (512km) Wainwrights adventure in 8 days, 6 hours & 43 mins, amassing around 36,000m of ascent (the equivalent of four times Mount Everest) and setting a winter record in the process.
James training in the Lake District fells. Photo: Jack Oliver
The 30-year-old from Rydal, near Ambleside, hopes to complete the same route in a faster time on his second attempt and, if possible, push Sabrina Verjee’s brilliant overall record of 5 days, 23 hours & 49 mins, set in June last year.
Coached by fellow INOV8 ambassador Paul Tierney – who held the Wainwrights record prior to Sabrina with 6 days, 6 hours & 5 mins in 2019 – James will begin his attempt on April 1st from Moot Hall, Keswick.
He will again be supported throughout by family and friends, with groups of runners taking it in turn to pace and navigate him over different sections of the route, which was brilliantly mapped out by Steve Birkinshaw in 2014. Steve ran it in 6 days 13 hours and 1 min, beating the then record of fell running legend Joss Naylor, who did 7 days, 1 hour and 25 mins in 1987.
James will eat on the run and sleep in a vehicle at road crossings that sit nestled in the valleys below the 214 peaks featured in Alfred Wainwright’s iconic seven-volume pictorial guides to the Lake District fells.
All smiles ahead of a second crack at the 214 Wainwright peaks. Kit: WINDSHELL. | RACE ELITE PEAK 2.0. Photo: Jack Oliver
You can follow his progress throughout on this LIVE TRACKING MAP. We’ll also have updates on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.
In between making final preparations for what looks set to be an epic ultra running journey, James took time out to answer our questions.
Hi James, what do you anticipate will be the major differences between your winter round and the upcoming attempt?
Well, hopefully, the weather! It would make the attempt much easier if the sun was shining and it was warm, but let’s face it, this is the Lake District and absolutely anything could happen. Who knows, it could be like winter again!
Daylight will be a big difference too. In December there was around 8 hours of daylight, whereas in April there will be 13+ hours. Those 5 hours should make a huge difference. But ultimately having a good weather window will make life a lot easier.
James running up above Wastwater on his winter-record round of the Wainwrights. Photo: Chay Turner-Richards
Early April is very early in the year in terms of making a fast attempt at the Wainwrights. What is your thinking behind this?
The short answer to this is work. I work as an outdoor instructor, so my busiest time of year is typically between April and October. My thinking behind the attempt was, whilst the fitness was all still there from December, I’d try to use it earlier, rather than later. Spring usually brings some good weather – I’ve cursed it now – and this was another reason. I must admit, I would have loved to do it mid-summer, but that time of year just wouldn’t work for me.
Have you set yourself a goal? Is Sabrina’s record something you’d like to push for if things
I do have a goal of a time in mind, which if all goes to plan would hopefully get close to the record. But, having done it in winter, I know absolutely anything can happen. If all goes to plan and everything holds together, then pushing Sabrina’s outstanding time could be a possibility. Lots of things would need to line up in my favour though.
How do you get your head around 214 peaks? Do you think about the enormity of the numbers or focus thoughts elsewhere?
Thinking about the entirety of the route is just too much to process, let alone how much mileage/ascent is left. I try to focus on what’s coming up on each section, whilst engaging with the people that are out helping me too. I find this takes my mind off the enormity of the challenge more than anything. In December, I was fortunate to have more than 70 people helping me, so there was certainly enough conversation for 8 days! I’d also run much of the route many times in training, so I always knew what was coming next and this ensured there was never any huge uncertainty.
Another long ascent for James on his winter-record round. Kit: X-TALON 255. Photo: Chay Turner-Richards
How huge is the role of your support team?
Without this amazing team of folk, none of it would be possible. There is so much behind the scenes stuff that happens during these attempts that not many people may see.
I had more than 70 people involved on the winter attempt, that’s both road support and on the hill. I think I’m fortunate to have around the same number again, if not more, for this new attempt.
The support team itself is the most important piece of the puzzle and without it, the attempt would fall to pieces. They make my life so much easier, to the point where I literally have to put one foot in front of the other and keep going, knowing these amazing people will do everything else for me. That includes feeding me, hydrating me, cooking for me and everything else in between. During the planning phase too, I try my best to find support people local to that particular area, which in turn makes logistics easier too.
Have you made any significant changes to your route?
I’ve been looking at some sections since December and I’ll be changing a few bits here and there, but it’s so hard to try and improve because the mastermind behind it all, Steve Birkinshaw, did such a great job.
I have managed to find a few new lines, which I feel will save a few minutes here and there, but they’re only minor in the grand scale of the route. I’m also going to use Tom Hollins’ Grasmere section, which I feel flows better, and then parts of what Sabrina used too.
Deep snow and wild storms made for tough conditions for James in December. Photo: Matt Le Voi
Tell us more about you and your background in running
I’m 30 years old and live in the stunning village of Rydal, surrounded by so many amazing trails and hills. I work in the outdoors doing a range of different activities, from climbing and hiking in the Lake District, to scrambling on the Cuillins (Isle of Skye). I also work part-time in the Climbers Shop in Ambleside, so I’d like to say I always have a huge variety of work from one week to the other.
My family live in sunny Cornwall, so if I head down and its warm and sunny, it certainly feels like a holiday. Me and my partner Kayleigh have recently got a little puppy too, so that’s made life even more interesting. I can’t wait until he can come out on the fells running with me.
I’ve been running for about 5 years now and really enjoy doing long days out in the hills, whether that be a Bob Graham Round or just a good amount of time on feet. Since 2017 I’ve managed to get a few rounds done, along with some big, long-distance routes too, like the Cape Wrath Trail, Pennine Way and the Steve Parr Round.
I feel like I’ve always had the fitness to run, mainly from working outside, and it’s only the past few years that I’ve been training. I’ve seen a huge improvement in fitness in recent times and this is solely down to Paul Tierney, who’s been kindly coaching me through Missing Link Coaching.
James training in the Lake District fells. Kit: X-TALON ULTRA 260 V2 | BASE ELITE SHORT-SLEEVE. Photo: Jack Oliver
What are your favourite pieces of INOV8 kit that you’ll use on the challenge?
This will depend entirely on what the weather throws at me through the week. Recently, with the windier weather, I’ve been enjoying using the WINDSHELL jacket with a nice BASE ELITE SHORT-SLEEVE underneath and then some RACE ELITE 6" SHORTS. This has given me the right level breathability and protection for running in such weather. I’ve also recently been using the X-TALON ULTRA 260 V2, having previously used the X-TALON 255 on my winter round. The fit of the 260 is very similar (both are quite wide) and the grip is of course excellent, but it also has a bit more comfort underfoot for longer days in the hills. I’ll have both the 260 and 255 in my kitbag for the attempt!
To learn more about James, check out his website.