Extended Bob Graham Rounds

Though many only aim to complete the basic Bob Graham round of 42 peaks, there are those for whom this is just not enough. Indeed, among the early contenders Ken Heaton; Eric Beard and Joss Naylor not only completed the basic round but extended the number of peaks traversed - 51, 56 & 61 tops respectfully. This was at a time when the fell record and the BGR were often attempted together.

As the numbers of tops visited increased it became apparent that the basic BGR round was not the best basis for attempts and so the two sides of long distance events in the Lake District became separated. The original BG round was left alone and more efficient circuits were worked out to collect larger numbers of peaks. The absolute record for the number of tops visited in a 24hr period is currently 77 by Mark Hartell.

Once beyond the basic round, there is no specified extra set of tops that must be added. It is up to the individual to decide on the merit or otherwise of each top. One criterium often quoted is that the top must be over 2000ft(608m) in height though that has the problem in that two of the original 42 are below 2000ft in altitude. The tops shown in the tables below are those that are usually (if two circuits counts as “usual”) appended.

Fifty at Fifty

As earlier successful contenders grew older, thoughts began to develop again about extensions to the basic round. The first of these was the half century of tops and someone thought of the memorable, and symmetrical, “fifty at fifty” tag-line.

The table below shows the select few who have succeeded in completing a 50 @ 50. The first was Edward Hill in 1977, having completed a standard round just two years earlier to become member number 32. Yiannis Tridimas became the first person to gain membership by completing a 50 @ 50 without having earlier done the basic round. This was in 1995. The sole lady in this select group is Wendy Dodds, who in 2002 traversed fifty three tops at the age of 51, the foot and mouth outbreak having prevented her from attempting it the previous year. Her original round came in 1979

In the following table - hover your mouse over the names of the completers or the initials of the fells for more info. As of writing I am unsure as to the tops added by most of those on the list. I will update the table as and when I find out.

Fifty Five at Fifty Five

Things now start to become much harder! Not in terms of extra distance or ascent - most of the extra five tops are either on or very close to the route of the standard round, but simply that there are another five years of wear on the body. With this in mind there are only three successful applicants so far for this category: Paul Murray in 1997 with a time of 23hrs 24mins, George Brass in 1988 in a time of 23hrs 44mins (he was fifty six at the time) and Dennis Lucas, also in 1998, in a time of 23hrs 36mins. Dennis had completed a standard round nine years ealier and Paul in 1978.

Sixty at Sixty

This is pushing things! Not surprisingly there have been few contenders for this, at a time in life when most people are looking at retirement. Joss Naylor did a 60 peak traverse (not a round) in 36hrs to celebrate his 60th birthday. And until 2005 that was the only attempt.

2005 saw three attempts, by the same man: Yiannis Tridimas. The first was curtailed by injury, the second by extremely hot weather. The third attempt, on 6/7th August was successful. His account may be found here but words just do not begin to describe how difficult this must have been. So in this category there is just one name:

Yiannis Tridimas

The round was 74 miles in distance with 31,000ft of ascent and descent. It is worth noting that most of the extra tops were accounted for early in the round and the outliers of Hart Crag and Great Rigg Man omitted. The omission of Hanging Knotts is stranger to understand since most BG rounds twice pass within a hundred metres or so of it.