Runner completes gruelling 268 mile race in 131 hours.

A MEMBER of Lymm Runners has completed a 268-mile ultra race along the Pennine Way – despite the blistering heat.
Kieran Walshe not only completed the Montane Spine Race – recognised as Britain’s most brutal summer face – but achieved joint seventh place.
He had to cope with 13,500 metres of ascent, carry most of his supplies and get by on 2-3 hours sleep each night – and complete the route within a 168-hour time limit.
He braved blistering heat, full sun and daytime temperatures of over 30C.
The race follows the full length of the Pennine Way – starting in Edale in Derbyshire and finishing in Kirk Yetholm in Scotland. It is a single stage foot race – which means runners can carry on day and night as long as they are able to. Participants are told “Expect to be challenged, expect adventure and more importantly expect the race to be fun!”
Kieran, an experienced ultramarathon runner, said: “I’d always wanted to do the Spine Race – it’s one of the toughest races in Britain, and goes across some amazing countryside. This year’s race was especially hard because of the heat. I finished in 131 hours 7 minutes, and was joint 7th (alongside Brigitte Daxelhoffer from Switzerland who was the first woman finisher, and Bobby Cullen also from the UK. The support from other runners and from the race organisers and their medical team was great. On this kind of really long race, continuously over several days, you learn a lot about your own endurance, resilience, and sense of humour.”
He was met at the finish by his wife, Catherine and his dog and running companion, Pepper. He is now planning his next challenge
Kieran is pictured at the finish with Bobby Cullen ( left), and Brigitte Daxelhoffer (centre).