This Ultrarunner Covered 425 Miles Up the U.K.’s Highest Points—and Smashed the Fastest Known Time
Ultrarunner Patricia “Trish” Patterson, of Hythe, Hampshire, England, in the U.K., has set a new women’s world record, completing the U.K.’s National Three Peaks Challenge in just five days and 21 hours.
The National Three Peaks Challenge is one of the most difficult treks the region has to offer. Traditionally, the challenge is completed by climbing the highest peak in Scotland, Ben Nevis; the highest peak in England, Scafell Pike; and the highest peak in Wales, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).
In between, those who partake typically drive from one destination to the next, and the entire challenge is usually completed within 24 hours; in fact, Kate Middleton completed it earlier this month in support of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
With a total walking distance of 23 miles and a total ascent of 10,052 feet, the challenge done by driving is certainly nothing to sniff at—but Patterson, a run coach and mother of twins, took it to the next level. Instead of driving the 425 miles between hikes, she ran them, sleeping only about 90 minutes each night and breaking the previous women’s record of six days, five hours, and 43 minutes, according to an interview with the BBC.
Per the Daily Echo, Patterson started her journey at 8 a.m. on June 29 at Scotland's Ben Nevis mountain, made it to England's Scafell Pike by July 2, and finished at Wales's Yr Wyddfa early on July 5.
Like Middleton, Patterson ran the challenge in support of a charity. She raised money for Mind Over Mountains, an organization that offers walks, retreats, talks, and other resources to support mental well-being (and that, coincidentally, Middleton has also worked with—the Princess of Wales joined them on a nature walk back in March).
According to Patterson’s fundraising page, she took on the record attempt in honor of a friend who had recently passed away.
“He was the kind of person who lit up every room with his infectious smile, boundless enthusiasm, and generous spirit,” she wrote in reference to her friend, Little Dave. “As I take on this record attempt, I want to honour his memory by making a positive difference. My hope is not only to challenge myself, but also to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and encourage people to seek support when they need it.”
Crucially, Patterson did not go it alone. Along the way, she was accompanied and supported by friends and family who shared encouraging messages and made sure she was physically and mentally taken care of. “To do something like this takes a village,” she told Runner’s World in a message. “The community came together in an incredible way, and in doing so we were able to honor a special person lost too soon and hopefully raise awareness for an incredible cause whilst pushing the boundaries of what is possible and daring to believe.”
“I have done many hard challenges in my life, but this was by far the hardest thing I have ever done,” Patterson told the Daily Echo. Which is saying a lot: In December, she completed the fastest known time, 107 hours, on Wales’s legendary Dragon’s Back route, becoming the first person to complete the 240-mile route during the winter. But it was ultimately love for her running community and their shared grief for their friend that kept her going, as she shared with the Daily Echo.
“The drive of getting that record in the honor of my friend is what kept me pushing forward one step after the other,” she said. “There was never an option to quit, never an option to stop, only the question of how long will it take.”
Katja Vujić is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn whose work has appeared in Runner’s World, The Cut, Allure, Architectural Digest, The Boston Globe Magazine, and more. You can find more of her work on her website.