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  The Rigby Round (18 Cairngorm Munros)               Scotland

To many the Cairngorms represent an area of unique and unsurpassed wilderness. Nowhere in Great Britain can you stay so high for so long as their arctic-like plateaux roll on for miles before you. The spirit of this wild landscape appears to have cast its own magic spell by inspiring a tradition of true adventure running. In contrast to most other rounds it is suggested that the Rigby Round is completed solo and unsupported and, ideally, there should be no prior reconnoitre.

 

The inaugural round was by Mark Rigby on 24-25 July 1988, in 22 hours and 44 minutes, ticking off 17 Munros in 75 miles with 19,000 feet of ascent during some horrendous weather. Since then, Sgòr an Lochain Uaine – which Mark visited during his round – has been elevated to Munro status, and by the end of 2020, a further 26 rounds have been successfully undertaken, repeating the minimalist style of the round’s creator.

 

Although the round remains an informal affair, Mark Rigby, Martin Stone and a group of Rigby completers agreed in February 2021 to formalise the expectations of a Rigby Round. Those wishing to attempt the Rigby Round should, therefore:

 

  •   Start and finish at the Norwegian Stone, Glenmore

  •   Visit the 18 Munros of the Cairngorms, including Sgòr an LochainUaine, in       any direction

  •   Aspire to do the round with minimum reconnaissance of the route

  •   Aspire to do the round solo and unsupported

  •   Complete the round within 24 hours

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Route

Note: The route illustrated above is Mark Rigby's original 17 Munro round. Angel Peak (Sgurr an Lochain Uaine) is now included and is shown as peak 18.

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Schedule

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Mark Rigby's schedule - The link to the Scottish Hill Runners website below provides a schedule for Mark Rigby's 17 Munros. Note that some two hours were spent sheltering in bothies and a faulty watch meant some of the later times were estimated. It also excludes Angel Peak which was not a Munro at that time.


Rob Woodall's schedule - The report below includes a schedule for Rob Woodall's route of 18 Munros. 


Use the schedules in conjunction with OS Explorer Map 403, Cairn Gorm and Aviemore (1:25 000).

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Finishers

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Finishers are invited to add their name to the completions log - enquiries and reports to jonny_muir@hotmail.com

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Why not share your experience on facebook to  encourage and inspire other runners to have a go!

 


Links and Further Information

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Rigby Round - Cairngorms

Run the Line - Dales

Ring of Fire - Galloway

Saddleworth 10 Trigs
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Tan Hill to Kirkstone Pass Inn
Tranter’s Round

Tyndrum Round
Upper Calder 13 Trigs
Wainwright 7 Summits

Wainwrights 30@30

Wicklow  Round
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Yorkshire 2000’s

 

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Links & Articles

Sub-ultras (under 50 km)

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COMPLETIONS

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Where there is a recorder please contact them to log your completion. In addition, or if there isn't a recorder, you are invited to share your experience on the gofar facebook page to encourage and inspire other runners to have a go!

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SAFETY WARNING

 

All the routes on this site require proven mountain running experience. You undertake them entirely at your own risk. Please take full mountain safety precautions at all times.  Always ensure you carry sufficient clothing, food and equipment to cope with dramatic changes in the weather conditions!  Appropriate insurance cover is recommended.

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HAVE A GO!

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The object of this website is to provide a single, ready source of information on the ultra-distance mountain challenges which have been developed over the past four or more decades. It now offers a diverse range of long and "short", old and recent, formal and informal routes from around the UK to encourage runners of all ages and abilities to have a go, subject to proven mountain experience in all conditions.

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FRA LONG DISTANCE

RECORDS and NEWS

 

Please send details of any record-breaking runs and the like to Martin Stone who maintains records on behalf of the Fell Runners Association. Email:  martin.stone@sportident.co.uk

Please also refer to the guidelines and definitions in the FRA Handbook.

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HELP WANTED

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If you can improve on the accuracy of this resource, spot any errors in grid references, names, heights, spelling or punctuation, or find a link which does not work please email Tony Wimbush.: gofar99@gmail.com

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Similarly, if you wish to submit any new (or old) routes for inclusion see the contact page for the information and format that is required:. 

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