Michelle Kelly Award

On 28th June at the Longtown Mountain Rescue Team base in Abergavenny, Cardiff Outdoor Group welcomed Michelle Kelly to present an Award. The Award was to mark Michelle's amazing feat of endurance when, on 28th March 2015 she completed a triple Three Peaks Trial Gold Route Challenge in an absolutely incredible time of 19 hours 50 minutes.

Award Attendees:

Representatives from Cardiff Outdoor Group, Longtown Mountain Rescue Team and Abergavenny Town Council attended the event. In the attached photo, from left to righ, are:

Chris Lewis (Three Peaks Trial Coordinator for Cardiff Outdoor Group);

Jane Ormrod (Cardiff Outdoor Group Committee Member);

Michelle Kelly;

Councillor Nick Tatam (Abergavenny Town Council);

Luke Lewis (Team Leader for Longtown Mountain Rescue).

The Achievement
Michelle's achievement involved climbing over 15,000 feet in 60 miles. To put that in some sort of perspective to climb Mount Everest from Base Camp to the summit involves a climb of 11,500+ feet of ascent in 12 miles. So when you compare a triple Three Peaks Trial to that of climbing Everest you could argue Michelle's achievement was the greater!

The endurance needed was really extraordinary. Chris Lewis, who coordinates the event for Cardiff Outdoor Group said “I’ve completed a single 'lap' of the Three Peaks Trial a number of times and every time have ended the event exhausted almost unable to put one foot in front of the other so I am in awe of what Michelle has accomplished. Its a feat of endurance that went way above and beyond.”

Michelle started at 2:30am on that Saturday morning and with the support of family members who placed a number of glow sticks to guide her in the early darkness, she eventually finished the gruelling feat at 9:30pm in the evening. 

Michelle was asked if she is tempted to try four times and replied “Whilst it would be possible for someone to do the route four times in 24 hours but it won't be me”!

On presenting the award Chris Lewis said to Michelle “You are an inspiration to us all.”

Abergavenny fundraiser Michelle was motivated to undertake this huge challenge in memory of her nephew who died in October 2014. He worked for PGL who help under-priviledged children experience the great outdoors and Michelle raised over £900 for this great organisation.

Definition of Endurance

There are many sayings about endurance which perhaps give us some insight into what Michelle did on that day 28th March 2015. For example a definition often used for endurance is “It’s the power to withstand pain and hardships, it’s the ability to continue despite fatigue, stress or other adversity.”  And the writer JRR Tolkien put it another way and said “It’s not the strength of the body that counts but the strength of the spirit.”

What is the Three Peaks Trial Challenge?

The Three Peaks Trial Challenge Walk was set up in 1963 by local author Chris Barber. The event has taken place every year since with up to 900 people coming all over the UK to tke part and is made up of four different routes. The Gold Route is the original challenge; a circular walk over Blorenge, Sugar Loaf and Skirrid mountains. The Silver Route is a circular walk of about 15 miles with 4,000ft of ascent. The Bronze Route is a circular walk of about 10 miles and 2,000ft of ascent. The Platinum Route is a linear walk of about 17 miles and 5,000ft of ascent from Llanthony Abbey to Abergavenny over Bal Mawr, Pen Cerrig Calch and Sugar Loaf.

Inscription on the Award:

The inscription on the Award reads "Awarded to Michelle Kelly for the Outstanding Achievement of Completing a Triple Three Peaks Trial ‘Gold’ Challenge Walk  on 28th March 2015 in 19 hours and 50 minutes, the only person to have accomplished this remarkable feat of endurance". A photo of the Award is attached.