The Big Rounds Challenge 2023 - 2024

All links and documentation for The Big Rounds can be found here: linktree.com/danbeaumont IntroductionHi everyone, my name's Dan and between 2023 and 2024, I'm challenging myself to run 'The Big Rounds' - a UK endurance running challenge - in support of the fantastic work Mind Over Mountains is doing to help people with their mental health by improving their access to the great outdoors. The Challenge - The Big RoundsI'm attempting to complete The Big Rounds throughout 2023 and 2024, each round in less than 24 hours. Given the unpredictable weather systems of the UK, technical mountain terrain, and navigation (also through the night), this is a challenge that gets the blood flowing. The Bob Graham Round (Lake District, England), Paddy Buckley Round (Snowdonia, Wales), Charlie Ramsay Round (The Highlands, Scotland) and Denis Rankin Round (are known to mountain runners as four of the most difficult 24-hour ultra running challenges in the world.Collectively, 'The Big 4 Rounds’ take in 152 mountain summits (including the highest peaks in England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland), more than 31,200m (102,362ft) of ascent and almost 400km (248 miles) across four of Britain’s most distinct mountain ranges – the Snowdonia National Park in Wales, the Lake District National Park in England, Lochaber in the highlands of Scotland, and the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland. Round 1 - Bob Graham: Saturday 27th May - Sunday 28th May 2023 // Lake District, England: 8163m (26,778ft) of ascent over 98.78km (61.37 miles) and 42 tops. (Completed in 23 hours 25 minutes)Round 2 - Denis Rankin: Saturday 30th March - Sunday 31st March 2024 // Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland: 6200m (20,341ft) of ascent over 90km (55.92 miles) covering 39 tops.Round 3 - Paddy Buckley: Saturday 1st June - Sunday 2nd June 2024 // Snowdonia, Wales: 8700m (28,750ft) of ascent over 100.5km (62.43 miles) covering 47 tops.Round 4 - Charlie Ramsay: Saturday 3rd August - Sunday 4th August 2024 // Lochaber, Scotland: 8803m (28879ft) of ascent over 92.83km (57.6 miles) covering 23 Munros and 1 subsidiary top. For more information about the challenge, please visit: cicerone.co.uk/what-are-the-big-roundsMy Story & Why I'm Supporting Mind Over MountainsWhether addiction, anxiety, depression or abuse, our families and close friends have all struggled with mental health in some way or another. Suffering is inevitable in life, but through passion and purpose, I believe we can find ways (completely personal to each of us) to find meaning and purpose in our suffering. Since a young boy, running and being outdoors in nature have helped me find peace and better manage my own mental and physical well-being. During lockdown, on the back of isolation and struggles with my mental health, I decided to go back to my youth - where I grew up in the Lake District - and rediscovered the power of fell running and time spent outdoors on the mountains. Since then Fell Running - a sacred sport specific to UK mountain regions - has become a powerful, meditative and therapeutic practice for managing my well-being. Mind Over Mountains lives the philosophy that movement, the great outdoors and community can be powerful catalysts for positive mental and physical well-being. They are doing excellent work to support those struggling with their mental health - running retreats and walks in the hills that combine counselling, challenge and community - bringing people back to the basic needs of nature that have somewhat strayed loose given the chaos of the modern technological world. Their mission is inspiring, one which I'm passionate about supporting and I hope you are too. I hope that through this challenge, we can come together and raise as many donations as possible to better support their work. About Mind Over MountainsMind Over Mountains enables those living in difficult circumstances to get out into the wild and explore. Their programme offers immediate and accessible therapeutic support by bringing together hill-walking and mindfulness in nature, alongside time experienced with coaches and counsellors in an unpressured, unhurried setting. Their mission is to help those struggling with mental challenges, to boost resilience, develop self-help skills and ensure everyone has access to the wild and healing outdoor spaces the UK has to offer. They deliver events throughout the UK, ranging from one-day to weekend retreats, with bursaries available to those with the most challenging lives. This safe, confidential space to walk and talk gives those who are struggling an opportunity to escape the hardships of life and find the support of others in similar positions. They work with anyone over 18 who may have limited success with or access to traditional mental health therapies.Your donation will enable Mind Over Mountains to provide bursaries on events to those facing financial hardship, long-term illness, abusive circumstances, who have suffered a recent loss or are in a full-time care role for another. Here’s what your donation could contribute towards: •£40 would pay for one person to attend a ramble (a day walk + 4 hours of coaching/mindfulness)•£50 would provide an hour session of professional counselling for someone in need•£195 would cover 1 bursary place on a residential weekend•£1,800 would pay for an entire day ramble for up to 18 people•£4,700 would cover a weekend residential for up to 18 peopleFinal Notes100% of donations will go to Mind Over Mountains and will make a significant difference in the lives of those who are struggling with their mental health, and want to change but don’t know where to start.I am documenting the entire journey (links below), sharing stories about people that I meet along the way and their mental challenges (mainly on Instagram), as well as sharing my personal story, tips about fell running, and of course beautiful photos and videos from the best of Britain while completing this challenge. Thank you for your support - I appreciate all your donations and support.Dan's LinksLinktree: linktr.ee/danbeaumontInstagram: instagram.com/danobeaumontStrava: strava.com/athletes/danbeaumontKomoot: komoot.com/user/553841159058?ref=imkMind Over Mountains LinksWebsite: mindovermountains.org.ukInstagram: instagram.com/mind_o_mountainsFacebook: facebook.com/mindovermountainscic