TWO runners are to attempt a mammoth challenge in the Lake District to inspire people to become fit and active.

Amy Freeman, 32, and Gareth Davies, 36, will take on the Bob Graham challenge on July 21 which will see them face 66 miles over 42 peaks in 24 hours.

Starting out from Keswick, the pair will climb 27,000ft during the day and night.

Both are members of the Darwen Dashers running club and Mrs Freeman will be attempting to become the first female member to ever complete the task.

Meanwhile Mr Davies, despite having run all his life, only began fell running 18 months ago with the Dashers.

Mrs Freeman, of Blackburn Road, Darwen, said: “There are only four Dashers in the past I think that have done this, and none of them are current members, so they were all a long time ago.

“I have always loved being in the hills and when I knew I would be the first lady Dasher to complete this challenge I had to go for it.

“I was inspired by Nikky Spinks who was the first woman to complete a double Bob Graham round over two days. She was 50.

“I thought if she can do two I can do one.”

Bob Graham was the first person to complete the challenge back in 1932 at the age of 42 and around 100 runners attempt it each summer.

Mr Davies runs his own business, Sporting NRG, which runs cycling proficiency courses and helps children with special needs to do sport.

He said he would urge anyone to get involved with running.

He said: “I have loved fell running ever since I first did it.

“It’s an absolutely massive distance but Amy and I have been trying to think about how to make it easier mentally and really it’s just like 10 club runs.

“I would like to think we can complete it. It’s very difficult to comprehend how far it is though and you don’t know what’s going to happen with your body at 40 or 50 miles.

“The running community is fantastic and people saw that with the London Marathon this year.

“People think running clubs are elitist but the Dashers is not like that at all.”

The Darwen Dashers currently has around 200 members.