James Gibson has made ultra running history by setting new records for three brutally tough mountain challenges in the space of just six months.
The Bob Graham Round (England), Paddy Buckley Round (Wales) and Charlie Ramsay Round (Scotland) are all famous sub-24-hour challenges undertaken by mountain runners.
And between December 2025 and June 2026, the INOV8 athlete incredibly ran double loops of all three iconic mountain circuits, setting new two-lap record times for each of them.
Bob Graham kicks things off
First, in December, he completed a 132-mile, 84-peak Double Bob Graham Round in the Lake District in 42hrs 56mins. This included two visits to the highest peak in England, Scafell Pike.
Then, in March, he ran a 122-mile, 94-peak Double Paddy Buckley Round in Snowdonia in 50hrs 58mins – with two visits to the highest peak in Wales, Snowdon.
Finally, in June, he conquered a 116-mile, 48-peak Double Charlie Ramsay Round in The Highlands in 47hrs 50mins, twice summitting the UK’s highest point, Ben Nevis.
The total amount of ascent across the three challenges was 167,000 feet or 50,000 metres which is the equivalent of almost six times up Mt Everest.
Which was the toughest?
The “Double Trilogy” as James calls it, has previously been achieved by only one runner, the legendary Nicky Spinks, between 2016-2018.
He was supported throughout the three challenges by friends, family and pacers, both on the mountains and at road crossings and many of them were there to cheer him to the finish of the Double Charlie Ramsay Round in Glen Nevis on the morning of Monday 8 June, earlier this week.
James said: “I’m absolutely stoked to finish all three double rounds and come away with a record on each, which is super cool.
“I can’t decide which was the toughest, either the Double Ramsay or the Double Paddy. I had challenging conditions for both, and the climbs were savage, especially on the Double Ramsay, but that’s what I also enjoyed most.
“To finish on the Double Ramsay was special, and to do it under 48 hours was always my goal. It got a bit tight with just 10 minutes to spare, but it was nice to run the last bit knowing I was going to make it.”
Lee Procter, Communications Manager for INOV8, the Lake District-based brand who sponsor James (he wore their MUDTALON SPEED V2 shoes for each of the three runs), added: “James battled brutal mountain conditions across all three challenges and really pushed himself to the limit.
“We are so proud to see him achieve his dream of the double trilogy and break a hat-trick of records along the way.
“A well-earned rest is due, but knowing James, he’ll no doubt soon be cooking up his next ultra running record attempt.”
