British ultrarunner Imo Boddy has shattered the 45-year-old world record for the female fastest known time (FKT) to complete the UK Three Peaks.
The UK Three Peaks is a unique challenge in which runners summit the highest peak in each Scotland, England, and Wales. The peaks include Ben Nevis (1,345m) in Scotland, Scafell Pik (978m) in the Lake District of England, and Snowdon (1,085m) in Wales.
While most people drive to the foot of each climb, Boddy aimed to break the world record of completing the entire course on foot.
On May 15, at 7 a.m., 24-year-old Boddy began her journey by touching the sea in Scotland. On May 21, at 12:43 p.m., after covering more than 680 km and negotiating over 10,000 meters of positive elevation, she reached the cold waters of the Welsh coast.
Her time of 6 days, 5 hours, and 43 minutes easily broke the longstanding female world record of 7 days and 31 minutes, set by Ann Sayer in 1979.
A year later, in 1980, Arthur Eddleston set the men’s FKT at 5 days, 23 hours, and 37 minutes, following Sayer’s example.
“I don’t think I’ve ever dug so deep so many times in my life,” said Boddy to Run 247.
To grasp just how difficult Boddy’s feat was, she ran at least 100km and over 3,000m of elevation daily.
Sleep was scarce, and was taken in short naps in a support van driven by her parents.
“Get me to bed; I’ve never been so excited for a nap,” she said after completing day five.
Warm weather also posed both benefits and challenges for Boddy. To stay cool, Boddy said she enjoyed strawberries and cream frappuccinos while running and used ice packs during quick stops.
Throughout her incredible Three Peaks challenge, Boddy was supported by friends, family, and numerous supporters. On day five, Ironman endurance legend Sean Conway even joined her for a few miles as she approached Snowdon.
This is Boddy’s second world record. In 2022, she became the youngest female to run the length of Britain: 1,340 km from John o’Groats to Land’s End, in 22 days, averaging 60 km per day.
