A Bob Graham Story: Presentation & Workshop

*Presentation includes rare footage of an actual round which has lay hidden for the best part of 20 years 

The Bob Graham Round is now a well-known Lakeland challenge amongst fell runners who if keen to be part of the prestigious club, must run over 42 mountain tops, 69 ish miles, and climb in excess of 28000ft in under 24 hours. 

In essence it’s just an ultra, conceived in 1932, long before ultra-running was even a thing but for 3 out of 4 people who attempt the round every year, it’s a bridge too far. However, for others it’s just a long walk in the mountains.

For many who might consider completing a Round, knowing what the challenge involves, how to train, plan and then undertake, especially if based outside the Lake District Fells, is enough to quash many a dream at one’s own front door.

This informal and interactive presentation is designed to be perhaps the first step for those considering completing a round, or maybe being a potential pacer and support crew for a friend or partner.

It is also for all runners who maybe have no ambition now or ever, to complete a round but just are interested in running off road in the mountains, or completing other such challenge’s nearer to home. 

In general, it’s a presentation for runners.

The evening is presented by a Bob Graham Club member, former Royal Marine Commando, Ultra running coach and guide, and author of the Dartmoor Trail & Fell running guide book published in May 2023 by Pesda Press. Having ran the round clockwise and anti-clockwise, paced and supported over six other successful attempts, Colin is ideally placed to pass on his own experiences and knowledge of this famous fell running challenge. Personally, Colin is of the opinion that most people over think it when considering a Bob Graham round. 

Colin has written for national and local publications and presented to a wide range of audiences on running, mental resilience amongst other things and the evening will consist of personal anecdotes from his running career with honesty and humour finishing off with a candid Q & A at the end. 

Finally, this presntation has come about because of the discovery of a disk left by a Mr Stewart Bondi after he passed away earlier this year. The disk contained a 45 minute film/photograph prsenation of Colin's attempt in 2005 and features Stewart himself. Stewart completed the round in 1995 and helped many others achieve their own rounds on many occasion alongside his wife Hilary. This disk has been lost for the best part of 20 years and will feature significantly in this presntation. 

This evening is dedicated to Stewart Bondi, Colin's 'informal' coach, mentor and friend.

It promises to be a fun night