Anna Llewellyn has moved into second place on the 23 before Tea leaderboard at Elterwater Independent Hostel, smashing the women’s record by well over an hour.
Anna ran the 50k Lakeland route in 7 hours 14 minutes, not far behind the record time of 6.42 set by Gavin Dale, Mark Darbyshire and Dan Weller back in March. The previous fastest woman was Jann Smith, running with Paul Carman in April, who finished in 8.43.
The challenge is for a verified circuit of any 23 Wainwright summits, from the Elterwater hostel gate and back; runners are free to chart their own routes, though Anna followed this which seems to be favoured now:
Silver How, Blea Rigg, Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle, Loft Crag, Pike o’ Stickle, Thunacar Knott, High Raise, Sergeant Man, Tarn Crag, Calf Crag, GibsonKnott, Helm Crag, Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Stone Arthur, Great Rigg, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike, Low Pike, Loughrigg.
Christine Thomas, hostel owner said: “We’re thrilled that this challenge is proving so popular, and we offer many congratulations to Anna.
“If you want to have a go at the record, please ensure that all your peaks are Wainwrights (as listed in his seven books) and that you achieve the correct summit in each case. Please also contact us – you can stay here the night before and after, and there’s still the offer of a free night’s accommodation for anyone who breaks the record.”
Anna, who is a member of the Lancaster-based Lonsdale club, only took up fell-running in 2021. She prefers longer distances and earlier this year ran a solo unsupported Paddy Buckley round, the Welsh mountain challenge, in 21.52. She said: “I wanted to do this route for a while so finally got round to giving it a go. It was a very hot day but dry under foot. It’s a lovely route and I had a wonderful day!”
