Bob Graham - A Virgin Round

This video tells the story of my 2022 attempt at the Bob Graham Round. Since this would be my first exposure ever to fell running in the UK and since I obviously didn't recce any segments of the route either, a friend and fellow BGR finisher aptly named my attempt "A Virgin Bob Graham Round". This was the most challenging official or unofficial event I ever attempted. Considering that I had previously finished UTMB 3x as well as Cruel Jewel 100, Wasatch Front 100 plus many others and most recently the Tahoe 200, this should make it obvious to anyone why most challengers attempt the round at least twice before successfully completing it within 24 hours. In other words, 2 out of 3 BGR attempts fail. Having traveled here from the US just for this challenge, I did not want to waste my one opportunity to successfully complete this ultra challenge.

[@philventress991]

wow! You great work and you got so lucky with perfect weather, many people venture over to the lakes many many times and only get to see clagg!

[@ultrakraut]

Thank you. Not to worry, I went back last year for the 268 mile Spine Race and I got plenty of rain during that race:-)

[@AlistairGrahamuk]

Love the way you said Kes-Wick ( this is exactly how I pronounce it - a local and a Graham) ; it's on my list to do this adventure! Love it - keep at it; all the best!

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks so much!

[@snick1966]

Top top effort Martin on a great achievement, what a great example of a community as well all those people coming together to help you realise a dream Brilliant.

[@ultrakraut]

Much appreciated! I agree, just shows that the ultra running community is indeed one giant trail family.

[@blakeharvard7513]

Awesome job! Congrats on this amazing achievement. Well done, sir.

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks! It was a once in a lifetime opportunity created for me by the amazing fell running community in the UK, especially Ollie and his merry band of Sale Harriers just outside Manchester. I cannot give him and the entire crew enough shoutouts!

[@timjones8084]

Great video and congratulations on a top effort!

[@ultrakraut]

Thank you very much!

[@sunders8784]

8 minutes. Love it. Incredible. Well done!

[@ultrakraut]

It was an amazing experience!

[@mataruns]

Well done! 🙌

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks very much!

[@artisansportsman8950]

Very well done, so glad you had the dream & saw it through.

[@2112Tix]

Respect dude it’s a tough tough challenge. Great conditions which highlighted the scenery but you probably didn’t get chance to linger and admire.

[@ultrakraut]

Definitely no lingering to enjoy it fully, but a spectacular once in a lifetime experience nonetheless!

[@alvarodelacamara1706]

loved it! well performed mate! Probably the classiest BG ever, what brand are those shirts that endure even a Bob Graham? what a legend!🤘

[@ultrakraut]

Haha, thanks! They’re Rabbit (runinrabbit.com) a US based trail running gear company.

[@TrailRunningCouple]

Fantastic effort and really enjoyable to watch. Impressed!

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks very much!

[@johnmaskell5124]

Nice video and awesome effort. I enjoyed that! You must have thought Yewdale after support point 3 was some kind of cruel joke if you had never recce'd the round before! It brought back happy memories of my round this summer and now I kind of want to do it again!

[@ultrakraut]

Yewbarrow? More like YouBastard, lol. It got warm and I started dry heaving halfway up.

[@mattcarr3798]

Brilliant effort, well done 👌👍

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks very much!

[@eclipsearchery9387]

Top effort that man!! Well done and that was a beautiful video - you captured it well. The Bob is in my future too, I only live 60 miles away so it would be rude not to eh?!

[@ultrakraut]

Good luck with your recce and eventual attempt! A lifetime experience for sure!

[@alanwetherelt7155]

Wonderful watch ,

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@WestieRunner]

Great work! One day in the near year or two, I'm hoping this will be me; although not a virgin round, as I've already recced legs 1, 3 & 5 ad know the general area very well.

[@ultrakraut]

Well, what an amazing playground you have. Sounds to me like you'll be ready.

[@daveb3204]

Well done Martin. Did you have any terrain at home which prepared you for legs 3 & 4 or was that something new for you ?

[@ultrakraut]

None whatsoever! I’ve done plenty difficult 100 milers, but fell running terrain doesn’t exist outside the UK. I received a proper shellacking for 23 hours and 52 minutes after realizing what lay ahead after descending the first of 42 fells:-)