Steve Parr (1956 - 1990) - Fellrunner & Mountaineer 

(photo courtesy of Antony Speight)

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The challenge of linking together all the mountains in Lakes over 2500 feet dates back to the 1960's.  Over the years different criteria have been used for selecting the 2500 foot mountains.  An outline history of the Lakes 2500's is given on a dedicated gofar page- see link below.

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In 2020 following growing interest in the challenge, the FRA adopted Steve Parr's route of 61 peaks. It includes the 57 peaks documented by Wainwright as being higher than 2,500 feet plus Broad Crag, Ill Crag, Shelter Crags and Helvellyn Lower Man. This became the benchmark for formally registering completions and record breaking runs of the 2,500ft peaks.  The round was named in honour of Steve as he completed the first round in 1984, starting and finishing at the Keswick Moot Hall. He covered some 116 miles and 42550' of ascent in a time of 42 hours 56 minutes, a record that stood for 36 years.  An outstanding mountaineer, he tragically disappeared in the Himalayas in 1990 - see links below for tributes and achievements.

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​Route                                                                                      

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Steve Parr's 61 peaks are listed in his 'Beyond the Bob Graham Round' article - see link below.  The FRA guidelines for the route are as follows:

• You have to visit the Keswick Moot Hall and complete a round of  61 peaks of 2500' and over.

• Most folk will choose Steve’s traditional start/finish at Keswick Moot Hall

• It is also permissible to start/finish at any point on the round as long as you finish where you started 

• Choose you own direction of travel, clockwise or anti-clockwise 

• Visit the peaks in any order so that the route can be further optimised

• 48 hours is the target time but any continuous round will be recorded

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Schedule                                                                                

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Steve Parr's schedule is included with his 'Beyond the Bob Graham Round' article - see below.

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Completions                                                                           

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To log completions contact Martin Stone - email:  martin@staminade.co.uk

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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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• Enquiries and reports - contact Martin Stone, email:  martin@staminade.co.uk

• Beyond the Bob Graham Round - Steve Parr (The Fell Runner, January 1985) - an account of Steve Parr's 1984 run including his schedule

• The Steve Parr Round - Liz Wakelin (The Fellrunner Autumn 2020)

• The Lakes  2500's  - a summary of different versions and attempts.  

• Steve Parr's Mountaineering Achievements: 1973 - 1990 - Bob Millward

• Steve Parr - A tribute by John Barrett

• Climbing with Steve Parr - A personal account by Bob Millward, 2010

• The Lakes 2500 Round - Tim Ripper, The Fellrunner, Spring 2019 - an account of Tim Ripper's round of 51-39.

• Breaking The Steve Parr Round Record - The Lakeland 2,500 Footers, Howard Dracup, 2020 - account of his 42-36-07 run.

• The Wainwright peaks -  List in height order showing 57 peaks of 2500' and over​