A MOUNTAIN rescuer has taken part in one of the toughest challenges in the UK.

Mike Fawcett, a volunteer with Longtown Mountain Rescue Team, participated in the Montane Spine MRT Challenge – a brutal 108 mile mountain marathon across the Pennines that has to be completed within 60 hours.

Fawcett finished 9th out of 28 entrants from mountain rescue teams across the UK and Ireland and completed the race in less than 52 hours.

He is is head of the Longtown Outdoor Learning Centre and a member of Hereford-based Wye Valley Runners.

Fawcett was raising money for the team’s new control vehicle.

"It was a truly epic undertaking that was at times incredibly beautiful and incredibly tough yet deeply satisfying," said Fawcett.

"From the high of running along the crisp snow of the Kinder plateau with late afternoon sun illuminating my route and to the lows of slipping and sliding on thawing ice and deep mud across desolate moorland in driving rain.

"I really enjoyed the first section and found myself in second position as I went past the first waypoint.

"But I went on to make a navigational error and by the time I’d reached Hebden Bridge I was in seventh and running in steady rain.

"I got an hour’s sleep and forced myself out again.

"Desolate moorland at 5am with horizontal rain and visibility down to a few metres was not a good place to be.

"I found the first part of the day very demanding but gradually regained race strength.

"I picked up speed and made faster progress until night.

"I’d thought about trying to keep going but exhausted I stopped to sleep.

"I overslept by an hour which meant I had six hours sleep that really helped me but meant I had a challenge to get from Malham to Hawes before dusk.

"I was determined to finish with a flurry and ran from the height of the Cam Road all the way to Hawes to arrive at the Market House in less than 52 hours.

"The knowledge that each mile of ground was worth £10 towards our new team vehicle was a powerful motivator.

"But also the support and encouragement of everyone who sponsored me and other wellwishers really kept me going.

"So far fundraising has exceeded £1,600, way above what I hoped to raise which is really exciting."

Mike Jones, former chair of Longtown MRT, added: "It was a privilege to act as taxi-diver, chef and alarm clock for Mike in the most committing sporting event I have ever seen or been involved with.

"The atmosphere of mutual help and encouragement shown by all who took part was remarkable."

You can still donate to the challenge by visiting justgiving.com/MikeFawcettSpineChallenge