Paddy Buckley Round
Inov-8.com / Lee Proctor
Gallery
Summary
Round
TypeClockwise / Anti-clockwise
DirectionMountains
TerrainMap and Compass
NavigationUnpredictable
CONDITIONS24 Hour
Max Time61 Miles
98 KM47
Summits28,000 Feet
8,534 Metres28,000 Feet
8,534 Metres2
FinishersLlanberis
Location
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The Paddy Buckley Round, also known as "Welsh Classical Round",[1] is a long distance fell running challenge in Snowdonia, Wales. The route is a circuit of just over 100 km long taking in some 47 summits. The Round has the reputation of being somewhat tougher to complete than its English Lake District equivalent, the Bob Graham Round.
Although no official time limit is set, an arbitrary 24 hours is applied, although the first completer exceeded the original aim of 24 hours.
Runners may start at any point on the circular route (finishing at the same place) and may run the course in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction. The route takes in the well known high mountain ranges of Snowdon, the Glyderau and the Carneddau as well as the slightly less visited ranges of Moel Siabod, the Moelwynion, Moel Hebog and the Nantlle Ridge. The route was devised by the eponymous Paddy Buckley and first completed in 1982 by Wendy Dodds.[2] The selection of summits that must be visited is somewhat arbitrary and no rules appear to have been applied in selecting them[according to whom?]. Generally, it takes in the major peaks of the ranges that are being crossed, then any minor tops that are passed along the way are also included. Some of these tops really are just bumps on the ridge and not really summits in their own right at all.
The fastest known completion of the round was, for many years, by Mark Hartell in 18 hours 10 minutes. On 4 May 2008, this time was matched by Chris Near of Eryri Harriers.[3] Finally, this old record was broken by Tim Higginbottom in July 2009 to set a new record at 17 hours and 42 minutes.[4] The women's record is held by Jasmin Paris with a time of 18 hours and 33 minutes, set in 2016.[5]
The book, "The Welsh Three Thousand Foot Challenges: A Guide for Walkers and Hill Runners" [6] describes a version of the route which avoids the slate quarries, which the fastest line utilises, and also suggest attempting it as a four-day backpacking (lightweight camping) excursion rather than a one-day run.
Paddy Buckley Round Records
Paddy Buckley Round History Of Records
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