Adam shows he’s in peak condition

ELY Runner Adam Etches climbed the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in less than 24 hours. He was in a team of three in the National Three Peaks Challenge. He and Nick Smith, from Norfolk, undertook the challenge to support his friend Dave

ELY Runner Adam Etches climbed the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in less than 24 hours.

He was in a team of three in the National Three Peaks Challenge.

He and Nick Smith, from Norfolk, undertook the challenge to support his friend Dave Block, from London, who was raising money for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Etches said: "It was pretty tough in stages. But I keep myself very fit and often take on these sort of unusual challenges, so I've done harder things before, but the other two found it really tough and looked sick at the end."

They started to climb Ben Nevis at 6.20am and after battling through rain, low cloud and snowfields, made it back to base in 3hrs 50mins. They drove to Scafell Pike, which they completed in 6hrs 10mins, before heading to Snowdon.

They started their final climb at 1.25am, on Thursday, and returned to base 4hrs 5mins later, completing the challenge 50 minutes within their 24-hour target.

Etches said: "At Scafell Pike, we were well ahead of schedule so took a more scenic route and ended up getting lost.

"We were climbing Snowdon in darkness using head torches and made bad time, with the final scramble to the summit in just two-metre visibility."

Etches will take part in the International Sky Race, from Italy to Switzerland, on June 10.