A CREDITON woman, Gemma Barnett, has completed the legendary Bob Graham round in the Lake District in under 24 hours.

Gemma stepping it out in the Lake District.
Gemma stepping it out in the Lake District. (Paul Barnett)

Only 268 women have completed the round since its inception in 1932.

Gemma completed the challenge in a time of 23 hours and 32 minutes, becoming one of the few women to have achieved this historic mountain challenge.

Gemma reaching one of the 42 Lake District Peaks.
Gemma reaching one of the 42 Lake District Peaks. (Paul Barnett)

The round involves running over 105km and climbing 42 Lake District peaks which adds up to 8200m of elevation (almost the height of Everest) in under 24 hours as stipulated by the Bob Graham Club. 

Only 40 per cent of attempts are ever successful and out of more than 2,800 completions, only 268 have been women. 

Gemma on one of the hill descents in the dark.
Gemma on one of the hill descents in the dark. (Paul Barnett)

Gemma has been training locally and in the Lakes for the past six months and has spent hours running laps up and down George Hill in Crediton to prepare alongside repeated accents of Cosdon Hill on Dartmoor. 

She asked friends and friends of friends to support her for the five legs of the round, changing supporters at each of the road crossings.

These helpers are essential for any round carrying water, food and supplies alongside their knowledge of the route and the speed required to complete the round. 

After all the training she finally started at 8pm on Saturday, July 27, from the Moot Hall in Keswick, and headed into the clear night for her first climb.

All helpers, friends and family were glued to the tracker location on their mobile telephones for the 24 hours as Gemma gained time and then lost time as the route, nutrition, conditions and cramps took their toll.

Heading up another Lake District peak on the Bob Graham round.
Heading up another Lake District peak on the Bob Graham round. (Paul Barnett)

At the end of leg three she was 45 minutes down on her schedule and it was touch and go whether she could speed up with 70km already run.

However, she overcame it all and remained utterly focused on her goal and made up time on legs four and five to complete the challenge with 27 minutes left to spare. 

Gemma with her complimentary pint at the end of her challenge.
Gemma with her complimentary pint at the end of her challenge. (Paul Barnett)

Her arrival at the Moot Hall to complete the round was met with cheers from tourists, locals and family together.

She concluded with a complementary cold pint from the pub next to the start/finish!