ULTRA runner Sabrina Verjee sets a new record for the 214 Wainwright Challenge, by six hours.

She completed the challenge in five days, 23 hours, and 49 minutes, just over six hours faster than the previous FKT, which was set by Paul Tierney in 2019.

Ambleside veterinary surgeon, Sabrina, 40, has made four attempts at the Wainwright’s route in the last two years and has now set a new record.

She set out on the morning of June 11 and during her round, she covered a distance of 525km, as well as climbed 36,000m.

During her six days on the fells, she stopped only for food, running repairs and, very occasionally, for two- or three-hours rest.

The first recorded continuous round of the Wainwrights was completed by Alan Heaton in 1985, in nine days and 16 hours.

Two years later, fell running legend Joss Naylor set a new record of seven days, one hour and 25 minutes.

The record stood for 27 years, until Steve Birkinshaw knocked almost 12 hours off the time in 2014, when he completed his run in six days and 13 hours. In the summer of 2019, Paul Tierney, from Windermere, lowered the record six days and six hours.

This is Sabrina Verjee’s third attempt.

In 2020, she completed her run in under seven days, but a knee injury slowed her down and forced her to accept physical assistance during some technical descents.

Last month, Sabrina was on target to set a fastest known time until bad weather and asthma intervened.

Speaking after her round, Sabrina said: “I am very tired and very happy. This time, my body held out better than I expected and I was able to maintain a good pace throughout.

"The Wainwrights have become an obsession and I felt that I could and should complete a round in under six days, so I am over the moon to have proved myself right.

“Once again, I had a big support group and they have all been absolutely amazing. I could not have done this without them – it was a fantastic team effort.

"More than anything, it has been brilliant to spend even more time out on the glorious Lakeland fells in the company of good friends.

"And if what I have done inspires more people – especially girls and women – to get out there and challenge themselves, then that’s an added bonus.”

Her sponsors included Berghaus, La Sportiva, Petzl, Dexshell, Supernatural Fuel, Gingerbakers and Mountain Fuel, all of whom Sabrina is very grateful to,

She celebrated her success with her husband Ben at the end of the challenge.