A record-breaking Kendal adventurer is taking on his latest fundraising challenge for charity.
On August 5, Alex Staniforth will take on the Frog Graham Round challenge. It involves nearly 40 miles of running around the Lake District fells and swimming two miles across Bassenthwaite Lake, Crummock Water, Buttermere and Derwentwater.
Inspired by the classic fell-running challenge The Bob Graham Round, fewer than 200 people have successfully completed the round to date, which starts and finishes at Keswick’s Moot Hall.
Alex, 28, is best known for his double attempts to scale Mount Everest as a teenager in 2014 and 2015, and climbing all 100 UK county tops in the fastest time ever in 2017.
He only discovered open water swimming last year as a way of maintaining his mental health after suffering with Long COVID since April 2022. He was only able to resume full training in March this year with a Couch to 5k programme and gradually make a recovery.
He said: “Being in open water was one of few activities that I could manage without exacerbating symptoms, and it was a chance to find some joy every day, to live in the moment and reconnect with nature. You always have to find the opportunity in these situations.”
He added that he hoped the challenge will inspire those suffering with Long COVID that recovery is possible, and encourage others to take up outdoor swimming to benefit their mental health.
Alex aims to raise £3,000 for Mind Over Mountains, a mental health charity he co-founded in 2020. The charity offers guided day walks and retreats combined with coaching, counselling, mindfulness and inspirational speakers to restore mental health through nature.
Alex said: “This won’t be my furthest or hardest run to date, but the real challenge will be the transitions from running to swimming after many hours on the go. I’m just grateful to be back in the place I love most and making a comeback in style!”
To sponsor Alex’s attempt and support Mind Over Mountains, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/froggraham
