ANDY BERRY TO ATTEMPT LAKE DISTRICT 24-HOUR FELL RECORD

Updated (May 22, 2023): Congratulations to Andy Berry on setting a new Lake District 24-Hour Fell Record. Andy summited 78 English Lake District peaks in 23hrs 23mins, completing it 22 minutes than quicker than previous record holder Kim Collison, who is also his coach.

The INOV8 ambassador had hoped to bag 79 peaks within the 24 hours be opted to miss out the extra peak (Haycock) to ensure he made it back in time. His route totalled 94 miles, with around 40,000ft of ascent. 

Andy said: “I can’t believe it all came together on the day and I managed to build on the incredible feats of those who have gone before. 

“Huge thanks to everyone who came out to help me yesterday, it couldn't have been done without each and every one of them."

Ultra runner Andy Berry will attempt to break the Lake District 24-Hour Fell Record this weekend (follow his live tracking map).

The INOV8 ambassador is aiming to summit 79 peaks within a 24-hour period and better the incredible current record of 78 peaks in 23hrs 45mins, set by his coach Kim Collison in 2020.

The Lake District 24-Hour Record dates to the 1960s. It involves a runner – supported by a crew and pacers – visiting the greatest number of English Lake District peaks over 2,000ft within a 24-hour period, starting and finishing from the same place.

The route favoured by contenders follows many of the paths and lines used by runners doing the iconic 42-peak Bob Graham Round, but with lots of additional summits, plus a whole extra section.

Kim became the first runner to bag 78 peaks within the time limit, beating the previous record of 77 peaks in 23hrs 47mins, set by Mark Hartell in 1997. Mark’s record had withstood several gallant attempts before it was eventually beaten. The women’s record is 68 peaks in 23hrs 26mins, achieved by Fiona Pascall in 2022.

To beat Kim’s fantastic record, Andy needs to complete the same 78 peaks as Kim in a quicker time or add one further summit (in this case Haycock) to notch 79 peaks within the 24-hour period.

Andy, who works as a plumber, already holds a handful of ultra running records including the fastest time for the 116-mile Steve Parr Round. Last year he ran the Paddy Buckley Round in a rapid 15hrs 38mins and then completed a solo Tranter’s Round in winter.

KIM’S RECORD OF 78 PEAKS IS INCREDIBLE. AS YOUR COACH, WHAT ADVICE HAS HE GIVEN YOU?
78 tops!? It still blows my mind when I say it out loud! I didn't help on the day, but I remember going and seeing him to give a cheer on Seat Sandal. I just remember an extremely focused Kim being pushed hard by his support runners even at that early stage of his round. It looked intense!

When I decided in 2021 that I wanted to change things up, I contacted him to see if he had any space on his coaching roster. After an awkward cup of coffee where I had to ask him to coach me to break his records (he had both the Paddy Buckley Round and 24-Hour Record at that point) he agreed, and we've been working together since. He helps to get the best of me, although I tend to not need much kicking to run. He provides structure, guidance and control to my training and racing.

Kim has given me a lot of advice on the 24-hour route and has told me parts he was running well and less well, so we can try and target where I can hopefully gain the time I need to add an extra peak. Kim will also run with me on the day, from Wasdale to the finish.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO TRY BEAT KIM’S RECORD?
My top aim is to add a 79th peak to the record, but I will have a cut-off time for when I go through Wasdale to say if that is possible or not. If it’s not, then I will revert to trying to run the same 78 peaks as Kim but faster. The 79th peak I hope to add in Haycock, which is after Wasdale.

I have taken Fiona Pascall's idea of starting and finishing at Newlands, which will make for fun dot watching on the live tracking map as I'm not sure how strong the coverage is in that valley! Starting with what was Kim’s last section will hopefully allow me to create the time I need for the extra top IF I can protect it during the ferocious pace of Kim’s opening section around the Northern fells.

Then it’s a game of survival for the day until the Western fells, where the hope is to add in Haycock.

I fully expect this to be super-close to the wire. Every minute is going to count, so controlling all I can in terms of changeovers and navigation is going to be key. ‘No needless time wasting’ will be the mantra of the day!

HOW HAVE YOU PREPARED FOR THE RECORD ATTEMPT?
Everything over the last 18 months has built to this. But whether I'm successful or not, I’m fortunate that I absolutely love running in the mountains and attempts such as this are a result of that, combined with an intense competitiveness with myself!

This challenge is of such a scale for me that it may not happen on my first go. I look at the work Adam Perry put in but just didn't get the luck he needed on the attempts he made at trying to beat Mark Hartell’s record and realise that nothing is a given here.

That said, I’ve put endless hours in on the treadmill/local trail here in Durham and combined that with lots of hill time at all opportunities in the Lake District and Scotland. I also have a great strength and conditioning coach in Margarita Grigoriadi who helps with that side of things, making sure I'm balanced as a runner and getting weaknesses before they become issues.

I've done everything I can to be ready and so feel as prepared as I can be. It’s just a case of going for a big run with my friends now!

HOW DOES THE LAKE DISTRICT 24-HOUR RECORD DIFFER TO THE BOB GRAHAM ROUND IN TERMS OF PACING?
The 42-peak Bob Graham Round was originally a 24-hour record (the current record is 12hrs 23mins set by Jack Kuenzle in 2022). The route I’ll use at the weekend is still the same skeleton of a Bob Graham Round, but with additional peaks added.As an example, going down the Helvellyn ridge, Catstycam must be added as an out and back. Then you go past Fairfield to add a couple more peaks before coming back to Seat Sandal and down to Dunmail Raise. I like this.

As a self-confessed Bob Graham Round addict (having done it clockwise supported, anticlockwise solo & unsupported, and as a mid-winter round) the familiarity is quite reassuring!

I think I’ll need to run at around it 15-hour Bob Graham Round pace, but obviously maintain that for 24 hours!

WILL YOU HAVE A SUPPORT TEAM ON AND OFF THE FELL? 
Yes, I will have support on all the fell sections and road support at each opportunity. I see this as a vital component and I'm fortunate that I have some great runners supporting on the fell. My partner Jess is my road crew. As an experienced ultra runner herself who knows me so well, she’ll be able to tell if it’s a hug or a kick that I need as I come through!

HOW MUCH NAVIGATION WILL BE INVOLVED AND HOW IMPORTANT IS GOOD WEATHER FOR THIS ATTEMPT?
I’ve done a lot of recces on the parts I was not already familiar with. Combined with the phenomenal knowledge that the people coming out with me have, I’m sure we will get near optimal lines a lot of the time. I won't make the attempt in horrific weather, as I see this as a choice and would rather wait for a weather window where I can give myself the best chance of success. That said, it doesn't have to be perfect, just good enough.

WHAT WILL YOU AND YOUR PACERS CARRY?
I will keep myself as light as possible, just carrying a tracker for the attempt. I will rely on my support runners to carry food and drink for me, as well as a small bag containing emergency layers such as my waterproof STORMSHELL running jacket.

WHAT SHOES WILL YOU CHOOSE FOR THIS CHALLENGE AND WHY?
I’ll most likely wear the X-TALON ULTRA 260 V2 shoes. The grip is mega on steep descents and the extra protection & comfort underfoot is welcome on rough ground for such an amount of time.

If it’s really dry in the lead up to the attempt and the ground bone dry, I'll be tempted to wear the ROCLITE ULTRA G 320 as they’re just the comfiest thing I've worn in my training and have ace grip on the rock.