123Discover the Big Rounds
The Bob Graham Round, the Paddy Buckley
Round and the Charlie Ramsay Round are known
to mountain runners as three of the most difficult
24-hour challenges in the world. But whether you
run or walk, each round is a long distance classic in its
own right.
Collectively, the mainland ‘Big 3’ take in
113 mountain summits (including the highest peaks
in England, Wales and Scotland), over 25,000m
(83,000 feet) of ascent and nearly 300km (183 miles)
across three of Britain’s most distinct mountain
ranges – the Snowdonia National Park in Wales, the
Lake District National Park in England, and a vast
area of Lochaber in the Highlands of Scotland.
The beauty of the Rounds in my view is the
line that each takes. It’s not about just the tops
themselves, but the quieter, less visited places
inbetween – so they are a great way to revisit the
familiar as well as discover the unknown. As a
group, they illustrate the differences in our regional
mountain cultures, as well as the rich social and
historical links between them. They are also difficult
to do, and something I aspired to, even as a walker!
1 THE BOB GRAHAM ROUND, LAKE DISTRICT
8,163m of ascent over 98.78km and 42 tops
The Bob Graham visits Skiddaw and Blencathra, then
tours the eastern ridge to Helvellyn, ducks across
Fairfield to the Langdale peaks before covering the
high ground to Scafell Pike, the Wasdale horseshoe
to Honister Pass, before returning to the start point
at Moot Hall in Keswick. It can also be traversed in
the opposite direction. It was first run successfully
by Bob and pacers in 1932, in a time of 23hrs 39mins,
wearing gym shoes and fueled by bread, butter and
boiled eggs.
2 THE PADDY BUCKLEY ROUND,
SNOWDONIA
8,700m of ascent over 100.5kms and 47 tops
Otherwise known as the Welsh Classical Round, the
line devised by Paddy was first run successfully in
1982 by Wendy Dodds in a time of 25hrs, 38mins. It
can begin from any point on the round and be taken
in either direction, covering Llanberis, the Glyderau,
the Carneddau, Siabod and the ‘boundary ridge’ to
the Moelwyns, the more solitary ground north of
Moel Hebog, as well as the Snowdon massif.
3 THE CHARLIE RAMSAY ROUND,^
WEST HIGHLANDS
8,803m of ascent over 92.83km, 23 Munros and 1
subsidiary top
Beginning from the Glen Nevis YHA in July 1978,
Charlie expanded the Philip Tranter Round (all the
hills around Glen Nevis), first running across the
Mamores, down to Loch Treig, over the mountains
west of Loch Ossian, across the Grey Corries, before
traversing the Aonachs and Ben Nevis. He made it
back to the youth hostel with two minutes to spare
in a time of 23hrs, 58mins. The route can also be
taken in the opposite direction.
Nicky Spinks has recently made ‘Big 3’ history by
becoming the first person ever to complete doubles
of all three rounds. An incredible achievement.
THE BIG ROUNDS
The Great Outdoors July 2019 53