After eight days of relentless effort, Montane athlete Tom Hollins has reached the finish line of the Wainwrights challenge, having successfully summited 214 lake-district peaks in one attempt, over 500km of rugged and unforgiving terrain.

Hollins’ self-supported achievement sets a new Winter Wainwrights record of 8 days, 9 hours and 44 minutes. Hollins also finished in less time than the current self-supported Summer Wainwrights record of 14 days, 11 hours, held by James Forrest. 

Despite the challenging winter conditions, he maintained an extraordinary pace, completing the full challenge with no external support.

Tom Hollins has been a dominant figure in the world of ultra-distance running for over a decade. His career highlights include victories at renowned events such as the Montane Spine Race and the 10 Peaks Lakes. Known for his exceptional endurance and ability to tackle some of the UK’s toughest races, Hollins’ success in the Winter Wainwrights Challenge further cements his reputation as one of the leading athletes in his field.

The Wainwrights Challenge

The Wainwrights challenge, consisting of 214 peaks within the Lake District National Park, is one of the most challenging endurance tests in the UK. To complete the challenge, participants must summit peaks that rise above 1,000 feet (304.8 meters), covering over 500 kilometers of rugged, often treacherous terrain. The Winter variation of the challenge must be completed between December 1st and February 28th.

Hollins embarked on this grueling challenge on 20th February. Over the course of the past eight days, he faced difficult weather conditions, navigated treacherous paths, and demonstrated incredible physical and mental resilience. His ability to set new records in both the Winter and Summer records in a single attempt is a testament to his endurance and determination.

Images ©  Summit Fever Media