The Bob Graham Round: Running the Fells with Friends

Tony Holt attempts the iconic Bob Graham Round: a 66 mile ultra distance mountain challenge taking in 42 of England's Lake District fells with 27,000ft of ascent, which must be completed within 24 hours. More than just a physical and mental challenge for the ultra-fit, Tony narrates his story and explains that it's running in the hills with friends that makes it so special.
Timestamp Navigation:
0:00 The Bob Graham Round: Running the Fells with Friends intro
1:04 What is the Bob Graham Round?
2:23 Why attempt the Bob Graham Round?
3:23 What it means to do the Bob Graham Round
4:42 Support crew for the Bob Graham Round: friends
6:16 Why run?
7:13 Training for the Bob Graham Round
9:29 Thoughts before the Bob Graham Round
10:39 The Bob Graham Round attempt - LEG 1: Keswick to Threlkeld
10:53 Meeting friends and support crew at Keswick Moot Hall
11:19 Salomon athlete and fell runner Ricky Lightfoot joints the support crew
12:29 Leg 1 off we go: out of Keswick and up Skiddaw and Great Calva at night
14:31 Blencathra (aka Saddleback) and descent off Hawes Fell to Threlkeld
15:40 LEG 2: Threlkeld to Dunmail Raise: stomach problems and sunrise over Helvellyn via Clough Head, Great Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd, Raise, Whiteside and Lowerman
17:02 Helvellyn and descent to Nethermost Pike
17:50 Fairfield: an insult to the Round! Descent via Seat Sandal to Dunmail Raise
18:14 LEG 3: Dunmail Raise to Wasdale via Steel Fell, Calf Crag, High Raise, Sergeant Man, Thunacar Knott, Harrison Stickle, Pike O’Stickle, Rossett Pike, Bowfell, Esk Pike, Great End, Ill Crag, Broad Crag, Scafell Pike, Scafell
19:37 Scafell to Wasdale, an eating competition and why Wasdale is the Bob Graham Round Graveyard
21:51 LEG 4: Wasdale to Honister Pass via Yewbarrow, Red Pike, Steeple, Pillar, Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Green Gable, Brandreth and Grey Knotts
23:01 LEG 5: Honister Pass to Keswick Moot Hall. A final exhausted push up Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson
24:22 The run in to Keswick with friends
26:35 Pizza and burger time!
27:04 End

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

If you like this sort of thing, don't forget to subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell :)

[@wildernesstraining1957]

Just watched this again. As someone who’s finding his feet again after a long layoff due to two hip replacements and blood cancer treatment. We’ve moved out of London to Somerset. Surrounded by hills, and a beach close by. These videos are my inspiration again.
Nice going champ…

[@cervelo9465]

A great achievement yes.

[@peterpan-nr1to]

Not only is this very well filmed but the comradery, firendship and support between these people gives me goosebumps: very inspiring! This deserved more views.

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊 I'm glad it captured the friendship aspect. So important for me to get that across.

[@acquij]

beautifully captured 👌

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you :)

[@kevinstuart1966]

Absolutely wondefull attempt. Well done. It looked like a very emotional journey from training to finally completing the round. Hope your School pupils realise they are being taught by a hero. Again well done.

[@Peter-ri9ie]

Simply beautiful...! Really inspirational. After my next marathon I'll refocus and find the trails again. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@alexukbrighton]

How did your marathon go?

[@coops8000]

Brilliantly filmed and great to watch...well done Tony

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊

[@hdgjkag]

Loved it, so inspiring. Great film, thank you!

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

My pleasure :) Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching.

[@jamesblack6519]

Amazing story and beautiful cinematography. Inspirational.

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you, James😊

[@ad551vx]

Great story, beautifully filmed.

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊

[@richardinman5913]

Brilliant effort

[@bobbyshafto3259]

This is a fabulous piece of film with a very interesting story too. My wife and I LOVE KESWICK so initially that's why I watched it. Fascinating,HUGE respect for this guy and his supporters. Hope they went to "Wainwright" pub afterwards to celebrate (best pub in town,in my opinion).

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thanks for the comments. I think Tony was too shattered for a pint straight afterwards!

[@timaldridge4236]

Excellent film - well done!

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊

[@steveclarke2966]

Excellent production Kaleel. Really nice work. Top effort Tony & Friends.

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊

[@ratb9362]

what great filming ! massive well done Tony ! and all your crew too !

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊

[@sonofcadia653]

Outstanding film 👍

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you so much😊

[@artisansportsman8950]

Excellent video , i have so much respect for people who do this challenge.

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊 I have so much respect too. I'd love to do the BGR one day, but sadly, it's not ever likely! Armchair enthusiast...

[@_ChrisHayes]

Nice film and a great effort by Tony.

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊

[@mikeandemoutdoors1344]

Great film. Very inspiring, I think this will be the motivation I need for my next challenge.

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊 Out of interest, did you get out and do a similar challenge?

[@smelliajam]

Fabulous effort and great film.

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you so much 😀

[@mrozzy4442]

Inspiring film - thanks!

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊 My pleasure!

[@GreatCoveRunningTV]

Well done, both the running and the film making!

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊

[@murraybishop1539]

Great story, really enjoyed that

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊

[@rodge2479]

Great short, well filmed thanks for sharing.

[@andyackers6042]

Great vid. Very inspiring! 💪

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thanks, Andy :)

[@chrismorgan8598]

Brilliantly put together 🎉

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you, Chris 😊

[@2spoons]

Great video.... glorious weather to be doing Bob Graham.... its on my bucket list..... - looks like your route / trail was dry as well!!

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you about the film😊 Yes, I think Tony was largely lucky with the weather

[@wildernesstraining1957]

Astonishing! Bravo!

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Cheers :)

[@wildernesstraining1957]

@@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms Brilliant footage and soundtrack.

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

@Wisdom Training Thank you 😊👍

[@2spoons]

Fabulous video - and this is why I find doing a Double Bob 'out of my brain'

[@Peter-ri9ie]

Stephen Hughes has anyone done a double Bob?? Didn't even know that was a thing...

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thanks :)

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Yes indeed they have. Look up Nicky Spinks

[@craigbee]

"I'm a bit tired of feeling scared and cold" haha :)

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

😁

[@kcc9775]

Nice: "Mountain Has The Last Word".

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Always :)

[@Nbstevens78]

class

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Thank you 😊

[@expeditionlife5241]

Man, you did a hell of a great job:D, i did my first marathon in october and i'm trying to train for my first ultra which is planned in september next year, it has alot of vert gain. You have any tips for me? Its 53K and 1600m vert

[@craigbee]

How is training coming along?

[@burrianaUK]

Great account of a fantastic adventure. What were the screes you ran down at 6:17 please?

[@africanphotographysafaris3183]

Thank you :) The screes Tony was running down at that point were off the flanks of Scafell into Wasdale.

[@burrianaUK]

Thanks. I vaguely remember sliding down some scree when I came on a school trip nearly50 years ago but can’t for the life of me remember if it was Scafell or Skiddaw. 50 years on I still love a good scree slope 😀

[@africanphotographysafaris3183]

@@burrianaUK It's one of my favourite memories of my childhood too. Coming off the back of Great Gable and zooming down a scree. Magic

[@suxxid100]

good to know that when your dog has its tail btween it's legs, that's a sign that it had enough running and you really should stop. you can see the difference between a fresh and happy dog, vs tired one at 23:41.

[@andys121.]

think that's Phil Smith , a physio in Newcastle?

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Yes, Phil was one of the support runners :)

[@davidj8658]

Try to count how many times he says kinda.

[@colinstewart1432]

What was his time ?

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

Good question! I'm trying to remember. I know it was less than the 24 hours. I think maybe about 23:30.

[@colinstewart1432]

@@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms That's a killer time.

[@KaleelZibeWildLeopardFilms]

@@colinstewart1432 I was very proud of him!