Leg 2 - Mountain

Scafell Pike

Cycles are mounted, and Graeme and Craig set off on what may prove to be the most arduous mountain section of the whole challenge.

It starts with a 13 mile uphill cycle to Ennerdale Water (100m), a picturesque lakeside Hostel.


The bikes are dismounted and the boys depart for the hills. They make good time on the initial section over Blacksail Pass (550m). Meanwhile, the rest of Team No Limit are driving at breakneck speed to meet the runners at Wasdale Head (100m), wearing away the "Battle Bus'" mud guards on the way ("Sorry Gareth" - Andy), having missed the runners by seconds at Ennerdale Water.

Arriving at Wasdale Head the supporters nearly faint at the sight of the task ahead of the runners. Craning their necks up to Blacksail Pass, Paul, Jim, Gareth, Andrew and Julie spot Craig and Paul descending the steep slopes.

The runners are encouraged excitedly by the team and are lifted by the supply of peaches, water and Chocolate Hobnobs.

They now ascend to the peak of Scafell Pike itself (990m), and after a short break at the top turn to descend, and are again faced with the task of traversing Blacksail Pass. On the cycle ride back to Whitehaven, the guys are so focussed that they drive straight past the shore crew, who are enjoying a well earned snooze (another failure to meet them off the mountain - don't do it again!).

Even though Craig and Graeme are competing against Himalayan 100 marathon runners and mountain goats, they achieve a very respectable time of 9 hours and 45 minutes, which earns them 4th position on this stage so far - and resident mountain goat status! This amazing run, it is believed, they timed to give the rest of the team heart failure, as their return leaves only 30 minutes of tide left to enable them to sail into the lock and away, leaving the gate slammed firmly shut behind them and a 5 hour wait before any other competitor can depart. Would the team have crashed the gates on their departure, or not ?... we will never know!!

Team No Limit disappears over the horizon, battling the next stage.

Good luck Guys........