Ultramarathoner conquers 214 mountain peaks in a span of eight days, securing the esteemed title of Wainwright's Challenge champion.
Fresh Take:
Tom Hollins, a legendary ultra-runner from Yorkshire, has left the running world awestruck once again, claiming the title of the fastest self-supported individual to conquer the daunting Wainwrights challenge. Braving freezing temperatures and snow-covered trails, Hollins completed the grueling 8-day, 9-hour, and 44-minute undertaking with just himself and an indomitable spirit.
Over 300 miles / 482.3km, Hollins scaled all 214 peaks in England's Lake District, smashing the winter record without any external assistance. His accomplishment is all the more impressive given the harsh elements he faced along the way.
"Something poetic about doing all the Wainwrights' tops," Hollins shared, reflecting on his Herculean achievement. "It seems crazy, yet that's what makes it so beautiful – the fact that it's actually humanly possible."
Known for his tireless stamina and unshakable spirit, Hollins, now 51, has cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with in the ultra-running scene. With victories in renowned races like the Montane Spine and the 10 Peaks Lakes races, Hollins has earned a stellar reputation.
Hollins embarked on his Wainwrights challenge on February 20. To do it self-supported, he depended on his own strength and resourcefulness — no one ran with him, made his food, or provided supplies. Instead, Hollins left his supplies in B&Bs and hotels where he spent nights, relying on prepositioned drop bags to create his checkpoints.
"I left a drop bag at each one on the way round, so I created my checkpoints," Hollins explained. "The concept of it was self-supported rather than unsupported, because unsupported you have to carry all you own kit right from the start for the whole thing."
Tom's journey was supported throughout by outdoor brand Montane, famous for its reliable waterproof jackets and other outdoor gear.
The challenge is named after British trekker Alan Wainwright, who published a series of guides on the Lake District after walking there in 1930. The Wainwrights records have been attempted and broken numerous times since then, with Hollins' winter self-supported round adding a new chapter to the annals of this iconic challenge.
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While Hollins' exact time and route remain undisclosed, his record-breaking self-supported winter Wainwrights round stands as a testament to not only exceptional athleticism but also unyielding resilience and self-reliance in the most challenging circumstances. Off the race tracks, Hollins is also noted for his involvement in mountain rescue and safety advocacy within the Lake District community, solidifying his substantial contributions to the outdoor and mountain-running culture.
"Tom Hollins' record-breaking self-supported winter Wainwrights round, completed in an astonishing 8 days, 9 hours, and 44 minutes, showcases his ongoing triumphs in the world of sports."
"Despite the rigorous 300-mile mountain challenge, Hollins' resilience and self-reliance, demonstrated in his outdoor adventures, further establish him as an inspiring figure in sports and the outdoors community."
