A HOSPITAL anaesthetist has broken records for 'vertical' running after climbing Pendle Hill 223 times non-stop in just more than four days - the equivalent of climbing Everest almost five times.

Elite athlete, Tom Hollins, who works at Airedale General Hospital in Steeton, ran 195 miles up and down the 557 metres (1,827ft) high hill at an average gradient of just under 28 per cent.

His marathon, which he started on October 8 and completed in 112 hours and five minutes, stopping only for toilet and meal breaks, and two hour power naps, saw him set a new UK and Ireland 24 hour vertical record, for the most ascent in two days. He then carried on to set several 'Everesting' records with the fastest time to do the same ascent as Mount Everest.

Tom, who lives in Ilkley, runs with the Wharfedale Harriers and is a previous winner of the Montane Spine Race, a seven day non-stop race of the entire Pennine Way, has with his Pendle challenge raised more than £2,000 for the charity, Covid Aid, for those with long covid.

It involved him going up Pendle Hill 223 times with an elevation gain each time of 622ft - that’s the same as climbing Everest from sea level 4.75 times back to back.

Tom also set two records – In the first 24hrs he set a new UK and Ireland 24 hour vertical record, and then several Everesting records with the fastest time to do the same ascent as Everest.

Tom said: “To complete the run took me 112 hours and five minutes, so more than four days. I started on Saturday at 8am and other than for toilet and meal breaks I didn't stop at all until the second night and then had two hours sleep each night.

"Like all of these really long events it was beautiful and awful in equal measure. I did think that this one would be particularly awful given the repetitive nature but a lot of friends came out to keep me company on the hill at all hours of the day and night. That shared experience made it something really quite special. And I am super proud of the profile and money raised for Covid Aid.”

He added: “This vertical marathon project started with this thought - to many who have long Covid climbing a flight of stairs is like doing a marathon. I knew it would be hard but after a few days rest I will be back to normal. Those with long Covid will still need support every day.

“I’m aware that I had a very fortunate passage through the Covid pandemic. As an NHS worker I was given a purpose and able to work where so many others were having to stay at home because they were vulnerable, or needed to protect the vulnerable. I know I would have found staying at home very difficult.

I didn't catch Covid for two years and when I did, I got a mild cold and was back out running two weeks later. Similarly, I had no one close to me who got severe disease. So many others died, or developed long covid, or had family and friends who were affected.

"Now we are moving out of the pandemic I feel privileged again to be enjoying my re-found freedoms and the ability to get out and explore the hills. I am aware of many who struggle to climb a flight of stairs, and the need for NHS support.”

To donate go to Tom’s Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/verticalmarathon?

Tom's records:

* Double everesting 36:46:45h beating Rik Goris of Belgium's previous record of 51hr47min

* Triple everesting 62hours 24 minutes beating Rik Goris Of Belgium’s previous record of 82hr16mins

* Quad everesting 91 hours 46minutes. New record as this ascent has not been done before.

* Vertical marathon 112 hours 5minutes. New record as this ascent has not been done before.