Blencathra Fell Runner Rescued After Ankle Break

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Blencathra Fell Runner Rescued After Ankle Break

On Blencathra, a fell runner taking part in a famed 24-hour Lake District event stumbled and shattered his ankle.

Due to severe weather on Saturday, the group adjusted their path for a “safer option” on the 66-mile Bob Graham Round route through 42 peaks.

The runner was hurt while hiking down Doddick Fell, one of the routes up Blencathra, prompting emergency personnel from Keswick and Penrith to respond.

Volunteers utilised a stretcher to transport him to safety over a “tricky” descent.

The Bob Graham Round is a 66-mile (106-kilometer) tour of 42 of the Lake District’s highest peaks accomplished in 24 hours.

The course is named after a Keswick hotelier who completed it in 1932 at the age of 42, and the club describes it as “a testing ground for the supremely fit.”

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team 2
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team 2

A fell running party was supposed to proceed down the typical Hall’s Fell path, but severe weather forced them to deviate.

The alarm was raised shortly after 07:15 BST, with 27 rescuers having their own difficulty reaching the victim in a three-hour operation.

“Some team members had to forego their usual Park Run in favour of a jog up Blencathra instead,” stated Keswick Mountain Rescue Team.

“The team approached from Doddick Farm, first fighting their way through dripping wet head-height bracken before emerging from the bracken to continue up the fell path.”

It praised the runners as being in “good shape” despite the weather.

“A group shelter was placed over the casualty to provide additional protection before the ankle was re-aligned without much pain relief,” it said.

“The team returned to base for a well-earned cuppa and bacon butty.”

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