Javed Bhatti on the Pennine Way

Javed Bhatti on the Pennine Way

A runner who completed the gruelling race along the length of the Pennine Way has succeeded in his attempt to run the whole route again in the opposite direction.

Javed Bhatti arrived in Edale this evening, completing what is believed to be the first Pennine Way double in winter conditions.

The 52-year-old was one of only 24 ultrarunners to complete the Montane Spine Race at Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders last weekend, an event dubbed the most brutal race in the country. He promptly set about running the route southwards, a total distance of 862km (536 miles).

Javed Bhatti arrives at Edale at the end of his double Pennine Way run. Photo: John Bamber

Javed Bhatti arrives at Edale at the end of his double Pennine Way run. Photo: John Bamber

His remarkable feat has also raised thousands of pounds for mountain rescue. He originally aimed to boost the coffers of the umbrella body for England and Wales’s volunteer teams by £500 but has easily topped his target. A late surge brought in an extra £2,000 and the total at present stands at more than £3,500.

The Lichfield-based ultrarunner, who celebrated his birthday on the national trail on Saturday, arrived at the southern end of the Pennine Way in Edale shortly after 6.30pm on Sunday, just over 15 days after leaving the Peak District village on his northern leg. He was greeted at the Nag’s Head by, among others, members of the Edale Mountain Rescue Team.

Javed Bhatti celebrates with mountain rescue team members after finishing at Edale. Photo: John Bamber

Javed Bhatti celebrates with mountain rescue team members after finishing at Edale. Photo: John Bamber

Along the route, he told grough: “I was always planning to do a double and I was hoping to do the second leg a little faster than the first, but the weather unfortunately on the mountains was against me with the snow, the ice and the wind direction straight into the face.

“I had to use snow shoes across the Cheviots. And Cross Fell was pretty bad, straight into the wind, and Tan Hill too.”

Donations can be made via Javed Bhatti’s justgiving page.

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