James Gibson has made ultra running history by setting new records for three tough mountain challenges in six months.
The Lake District’s Bob Graham Round, the Paddy Buckley Round in Wales and Scotland’s Charlie Ramsay Round are famous sub-24-hour challenges undertaken by mountain runners.
Between December and June, INOV8 athlete James incredibly ran double loops of all three iconic mountain circuits, setting new two-lap record times for each.
In December, he completed a 132-mile, 84-peak Double Bob Graham Round in the Lake District in 42hrs 56mins.
In March, he ran a 122-mile, 94-peak Double Paddy Buckley Round in Snowdonia in 50hrs 58mins.
This month, he conquered a 116-mile, 48-peak Double Charlie Ramsay Round in The Highlands in 47hrs 50mins.
The amount of ascent James totalled across the three challenges was 167,000ft – the equivalent of almost six times Mount Everest.
The Double Trilogy, as James calls it, has previously been achieved by only one runner, the legendary Nicky Spinks, between 2016 and 2018.
James was supported throughout the three challenges by friends, family and pacers, both on the mountains and at road crossings.
It was fitting that several of them were there to cheer him to the finish of the Double Charlie Ramsay Round in Glen Nevis on the morning of Monday June 8.
James, 34, who lives near Coniston and is a running coach and outdoor instructor, said: “I’m absolutely stoked to finish all three double rounds and come away with a record on each, which is super cool.
“I can’t decide which was the toughest, either the Double Ramsay or the Double Paddy. I had challenging conditions for both, and the climbs were savage, especially on the Double Ramsay, but that’s what I also enjoyed most.
“To finish on the Double Ramsay was special, and to do it under 48 hours was always my goal. It got a bit tight with just 10 minutes to spare, but it was nice to run the last bit knowing I was going to make it.”
Lee Procter, communications manager for INOV8, the Lake District-based brand which sponsors James, added: “James battled brutal mountain conditions across all three challenges and really pushed himself to the limit.
“We are so proud to see him achieve his dream of the double trilogy and break a hat-trick of records along the way.
“A well-earned rest is due, but knowing James, he’ll no doubt soon be cooking up his next ultra running record attempt.”
