Runner completes gruelling 195-mile marathon of Pendle Hill in 4 days

On October 8, Airedale Hospital Anaesthetist and elite runner Tom Hollins embarked on a gruelling run of Pendle Hill which equates to climbing Mount Everest 4.75 times back-to-back.

Tom, who lives in Ilkley and runs with the Wharfedale Harriers, was inspired to challenge himself for charity after being exposed to the impact long Covid had on people whilst working for the NHS during the pandemic.

Tom Hollins (Image: Tom Hollins)

He said: “This vertical marathon project started with this thought - to many who have long Covid climbing a flight of stairs is like doing a marathon.

“I knew it would be hard but after a few days' rest I will be back to normal. Those with long Covid will still need support every day.”

“As an NHS worker I was given a purpose and able to work where so many others were having to stay at home because they were vulnerable, or needed to protect the vulnerable. I know I would have found staying at home very difficult.

“Now we are moving out of the pandemic I feel privileged again to be enjoying my re-found freedoms and the ability to get out and explore the hills.

“I am aware of many who struggle to climb a flight of stairs, and the need for NHS support.”

Tom Hollins climbing Pendle Hill (Image: Tom Hollins)

To achieve his goal Tom had to run 195 miles up and down an average gradient of just under 28 per cent. This meant going up the hill 223 times with an elevation gain each time of 622ft.

The run took Tom 112 hours and 5 minutes, which is over four days.

Describing the challenge, Tom said: “I started on Saturday at 8am and other than for toilet and meal breaks I didn't stop at all until the second night and then had two hours sleep each night.”

Tom also set two records. In the first 24 hours he set a new UK and Ireland 24-hour vertical record for the most ascent in one day.

He then set several Everesting records with the fastest time to do the same ascent as Everest.

Tom initially thought the event would be difficult because of how repetitive climbing up and down would be, however, the support pulled him through.

“Like all of these really long events it was beautiful and awful in equal measure,” he said. “But a lot of friends came out to keep me company on the hill at all hours of the day and night.

“That shared experience made it something really quite special. And I am super proud of the profile and money raised for Covid Aid.”