I was at the Great Lakeland 3-Day 2023 and saw a short film by someone who’d done a Frog, a Bob and the Fred Whitton challenge on consecutive days. I’m not an ultra-runner or Ramseyist but the Frog seemed like it might be possible given my pre-hill running days as a triathlete. I therefore decided to give myself a 55th birthday present for late June 2024 and give it a go. I spent a lot time planning, consulting other Carnethies like Jonny Muir, who was due an attempt in 2023, Eleanor J and Sarah Warren who’d both completed rounds and generally thinking about the FGR. Throw in a few recces and years of hard gained experience, my dream was slowly taking shape.
June 24 was looming and the FGR was suddenly becoming all too real and no longer a dream. Luckily for me, Helen had got wind of my plans and before I knew it a support crew who could make my possible attempt dates was formed. Willie Gibson had been drafted in as a support swimmer. Helen Gibson was keen to do leg4 and Joel Sylvester, (probably glad he wasn’t squeezing into a tent on a mountain marathon with me again) was going to appear ‘somewhere’ on leg3 and family members were going to be at the final swim exit to get me back to Moot Hall.
With a couple of weeks to go I had a new obsession. The weather. Luck was on my side because the 22nd was my preferred date and the weather looked like it was going to be favourable.
Its 2am Sat 22nd June, I’m at Moot Hall, its raining heavily and there’s no sign of any other ‘Froggers’ or ‘Bobbers’.
A dark wet lonely trudge up Skiddaw culminated with a brief passing of a group of about 10 ‘Bobbers’ I found my way down and as dawn was breaking the rain stopped and it was a fantastic run through Dodd Wood down to Bassenthwaite which was one of my favourite moments of the day.
The Bassenthwaite swim was fine but once back on land the midgies were horrific. I’ve decided my hot cooked expedition breakfast courtesy of a self-heating bag was a genius idea. Whilst going up Barf I became aware of a group ahead of me, I caught up with them at Ullister and they were the 1am ‘Froggers’. (I’m the 2am ‘Frogger’). We split to get down to Whinlatter our own ways and met again going up Grizedale for a few mins. (their route was clearly quicker than mine). The sun finally came out on Hopegill Head and I knew there were some people catching me. By the start of Eel Crag, the 4am ‘Frogger’ group passed me looking very strong. The run down to Rannerdale was pleasant, with paragliders on Whiteless Pike and a fair few walkers in the 10-in-10 event. I also met the midnight ‘Froggers’ at Rannerdale. It was great to have briefly crossed paths with other people attempting the FGR given our shared purpose/suffering for the day. I hope they all made it safely round.
It was then fantastic to see the familiar faces of Willie and Helen at Hause Point and after a bit of food and chat Willie escorted me across Crummock Water to Low Ling Crag in what was another favourite moment.
Every time I took a breath I could see Willie slightly ahead and off to my right. It was like having a swim comfort blanket. The next surprise was Joel, who, true to his word of ‘appearing somewhere on Leg3’, was waiting at Low Ling Crag with Ash the dog. Joel was going to let me do Mellbreak on my own but meet me somewhere else on Leg3. Not much to say about Mellbreak. It’s a very steep pathless slog up but a really nice descent down to Scale Force. It was very hot going up Scale Force but that was immediately offset by Lingcomb Edge being very cold. I met Joel again on Red Pike and we continued on to High Stile and then descended to Horse Close where Willie was patiently waiting to buddy me across Buttermere. Joel saw us off.
Another ‘comforting swim’ with Willie had us meet up with Helen who was all set for supporting me on Leg4. I was starting to feel a bit fatigued. The earlier mind mantra of ‘hold something back’ was now more like ‘this is all you’ve got’. Helen was amazing at judging my ‘this is all you’ve got pace’ and it meant the final leg to Catbells was really enjoyable. The view from Catbells of the final swim across Derwentwater was very picturesque but also a gentle reminder of ‘you’re not finished yet’.
Willie had made it to Otterbield Bay to wave me off on my final swim and to collect Helen. I am extremely grateful to Helen, Willie and Joel for their advice, help and enthusiasm on the day and beforehand. A nod also to Fraser Gibson, who Willie and Helen were off to meet as he was due to be in the Ride to the Sun event on Sat night. I knew my family were waiting over in Calfclose Bay so off I set.
I was expecting a seagull frenzy on Oterbield but to my relief they didn’t bother me. It was now that things took a slight type2 fun turn. The wind had picked up. At water level, couple the choppiness with a crap tint and fogging googles, I couldn’t really make out St Herberts Island or very much at all. Thankfully there was a white moored yacht I could occasionally see. After what seemed like forever, I made it to land and wandered round the south edge of the island. There were some happy partygoers who wondered what I was doing, which made for an entertaining conversation as I tried to explain what and where the FGR went. Leaving the bemused party goers behind getting to Rampsholme was the same sighting problem but I made it. As I emerged though the trees to start the final swim I could see enthusiastic waving from Calfclose Bay – my family. I waved back. They held up an orange bag. I was hoping they’d keep it held high but they were blissfully unaware of my sighting issues. So, no such luck. I finally made it to dry land, relieved, a tad cold and after roughly 40miles unscathed and still in one piece. It was then my family said ‘the paths this way’ and set off.
Hmm – brambles, thorns, various prickly bushes later and with my legs now all scratched we eventually emerged onto the path to Keswick for the last little stint to Moot Hall.
18:35 hrs after starting I finished.
I’m still digesting what an amazing day and experience I had. There is so much to reflect on. A massive thanks to all involved on the day or beforehand.
If anyone’s thinking of having an attempt, I’ve got plenty of kit lists, spreadsheets, plans I could bore you for hours with.
Duncan
Can’t forget these two hill helpers.
