THE Bob Graham Round is often referred to as Britain's toughest challenge encompassing some of England’s most brutal and unforgiving terrain.

It comprises a total of 26,000ft of climbing to reach the summit of 42 of the highest peaks in the Lake District over a distance of 66 miles – all to be completed within 24 hours.

The Ilkley Harriers duo of Dan Wilkinson and Ben Sheppard had originally planned to attempt the event in June.

However after some serious training where they were feeling physically prepared and judging the dry ground and low bracken conditions to be to their advantage, they brought the attempt forward. As a novice of ultra-distance events, Wilkinson had read about the low patches of such challenges and from the onset of the first peak they were in low patch.

Leaving Keswick, conditions in the valley were breezy, but otherwise fairly benign. However on closing in on Skiddaw the clag came down and the wind was a constant 50mph.

This combined with the darkness and the wet rock meant they floundered badly trying to find the route of the north slipping off the shoulder on wet rock. It was like something out of a horror film.

Eventually conditions improved with the dawn and a beautiful sunrise greeted them on top of Blencathra.

From there they had a tricky descent to the start of leg two where the support team met them with food and a change of socks.

Further highs and lows followed for several hours. They fluctuated from feeling amazing to contemplating defeat.

Buoyed up with gels and support from their team, they completed more of the peaks until they finally reached Scafell Pike, where there was just time for a quick photo.

Close to the end of Leg Three and they just had the small matter of the final leg shattering 3,000ft descent to Wasdale to deal with, including Dan’s favourite part on the fantastic screes.

Before they had left for the round Ben had requested that Jack Wood meet them at Wasdale wearing his GB vest for road support.

Wood didn't disappoint and added a pair of Union Jack running shorts for good measure.

After this, they had the expert guidance of pacer Pete Darwood for legs four and five who was setting them a blinding pace and finding all the good trods.

Down on energy, Wilkinson hit another low point and had to stop to force down sugar before they ascended Great Gable on a glorious sunny evening.

They pushed on, keen to finish the tricky descent of Robinson before nightfall.

As dusk fell they began to gain confidence that they would complete the challenge and dug in for the final stretch to be greeted in Keswick by revellers, clearly used to this sight, cheering them on to the finish.

A check of the watches revealed they had not only completed the Round in less than 24 hours but had cracked it in under 21 hours.

Meanwhile, Andrew Merrick completed the West Highland Way Challenge where a field of 100 competitors set off just after midnight on Friday night from Milngavie.

Having experience the South Downs Way, Merrick considered that sub 24 hours might be possible for this event.

However it turned out that the route is less easily runnable than the South Downs Way.

A narrow twisting, undulating path, with Loch Lomond almost constant companion was the main feature of the first half of the run.

The route became materially steeper from about 60 miles onwards and the temperature also rose to record levels increasing the intensity of the run.

The locations were also very popular with the local midge community which added to the difficulty.

Support from runners from previous years ensured Merrick got up and at least part way down the Devil’s Staircase in the light and he made it down to the road near to the final drop-bag station without needing to resort to head torches.

The final 14 miles were not helped by a very loose stony track which required careful concentration to avoid too much foot damage.

Merrick finally completed the 97-mile journey a little before 5am, enjoying the bonus of a second dawn on Ben Nevis.

The event was well organised with a coach to deliver the runners back to the start point.

Also in Scotland, John Woodward completed the Edinburgh Half Marathon in 1.47.26.

The Bank Holiday Monday Ilkley Moor Trail race was a counter in the club's league table and attracted a number of Ilkley Harriers.

Jack Cummings continued his good form to take third place with Lucy Williamson finishing as second female.