In a Nutshell
This winter I am going to attempt a non-stop 24 hour run (called the Ramsay Round) across some of the most remote and inhospitable mountains of Scotland. I am doing this to raise money for Cancer Research, inspired by my Mum who died of breast cancer this year.
What is the Ramsay Round?
The Ramsay Round was first completed in less than 24 hours by Charlie Ramsay in July 1978. He started and finished at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, at the foot of Ben Nevis, completing a non stop run across some of the toughest mountain terrain in Britain. Charlie Ramsay’s route is now known as the ‘Ramsay Round’ and the challenge is to complete it in less than 24 hours.
The Ramsay Round is one the ultimate endurance running challenges with its huge mountains, sheer cliff faces, knife edge ridges and desolate remoteness. The distance is approximately 63 miles and the height gain is around 30,000 feet (which means there is also 30,000 feet of descent!). In winter it is much, much tougher with 8 hours (or less) of daylight, snow, ice and freezing temperatures.
Only 52 runners have ever completed the Ramsay Round. Most of these runners are supported by a team of other runners, who navigate for them and carry their equipment. Only four people have ever completed the Ramsay Round in winter. The winter record was 33:48:00 until…
My attempt
In February 2008, running solo and unsupported, I lowered the existing winter record to 29:59:34. I know that I can improve this time by being better prepared and using the experience gained in my first attempt. This winter I hope to go below 24 hours and I am asking you to help me achieve this by sponsoring me.
If you would like to read more about my previous attempt and the effect it had on me, please click here.
How will your sponsorship help?
Apart from raising money for a very worthy cause, I need to know that I am not on my own when it’s cold and dark and when the pain kicks in. I need to know that there are people willing me on. I will have no contact with anyone for the duration of the attempt, so this sponsorship will be a great motivation for me out there.
When will I be doing this?
The Ramsay Round is not an organised event or race so I can start whenever weather conditions on the mountains are good. To complete the Round in winter, there are four conditions that are needed to make the attempt safer:
o Little or no wind
o Cloud base above the summits
o Plenty of snow that is frozen hard
o Full moon
Bearing all this in mind, it is likely that I’ll make my attempt close to the full moon around one of these dates:
o 11th January 2009
o 9th February 2009
o 11th March 2009
I will be carrying a GPS that will record my route and my time to complete the route.
I will update my webpage immediately before I start my attempt, so if you want to know if I am running, check back around these dates. I have also created a new group for those of you on Facebook: ‘The Ramsay Round 2009 & Cancer Research Fundraising’.
Why Cancer Research?
In October 2008 my mum lost her fight against breast cancer. She approached her illness with great dignity, humour and courage.
What YOU can do:
Please visit JustGiving and make a donation. However small it will be really appreciated.
Please forward this information to any of your friends, family and colleagues if you think they would be interested.
Many thanks for your help,
Shane