Endurance runner John Kelly has set a new Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the 261-mile Pennine Way – for a second time.
The UK-based American athlete ran from Kirk Yetholm in Scotland to Edale in England in two days, 10 hours and 4 minutes.
Just 10 months ago, John broke what was then a 31-year-old record on the long-distance trail in two days, 16 hours and 46 minutes. HIs friend and running rival Damian Hall then snatched a quicker time only eight days later.
Clearly this left unfinished business for John, who lives in Bristol with his wife and children, and on Saturday at 9am he set off once again on the Pennine Way to run north to south.
John set a fast early pace, immediately gaining time on his schedule. Conditions proved very mixed, however, with weather described as "constantly grim" delivering heavy showers and poor visibility.
His strategy was to keep moving and he took only an hour's rest some 48 hours into the run. Sleep deprivation began to take its toll in the closing stages.
The emotions of exhaustion, joy and determination were written on the face of the La Sportiva team member as he finally reached the finish point in Edale yesterday at 7.04pm.
John's determined bid on the Pennine Way
The Pennine Way is the oldest and most well-known of the UK’s National Trails. It is also one of the most challenging long-distance routes.
Many strong runners had attempted to break Mike Hartley’s 1989 record, before John beat the time by 34 minutes. However, just eight days later, Damian Hall bettered Kelly’s time by more than three hours.
John is a successful ultra-runner, having previously established a men’s record time for the Spine Race, a winter ultramarathon along the Pennine Way, and he is also a winner of the legendary Barkley Marathons in the US.
He wore La Sportiva trail running shoes throughout the challenge, relying on the latest Jackal model for the long distance challenge.
