The "rules" surrounding the Lakes 24hr record, the BGR was the record round from 1932 until Ken Heaton's extensions in the early 1960s, have changed over the years. The first formalisation was by Dr Wakefield who stated them as "To traverse on foot as many summits over 2000ft as possible and return to the starting point within 24hrs" (or very similar - I can't remember the exact words). Keswick became the default starting point probably because so many of the early contenders were based there, including Wakefield himself, but early attempts to better Bob Graham's record began at different locations and today attempts on the 24hr record may start and finish at any location.
I suspect that the reason the BGR club specifies starting and finishing at the Moot Hall is because that's where Bob Graham himself began and finished his round. I don't know as I was only thirteen when the club was formed :closed: With erosion concerns, in hindsight it might have have been better if the BGR was like the Paddy Buckley where you may start from any point (road crossing) as that would spread the footfall though I can't say I'd fancy the prospect of going for three hours between Robinson and Skiddaw without ticking off a summit.
I think people are trying to read too much in to all this, if you've had a good long day out on the fells then that's the important thing. If it just so happens to fit the criteria for joining the BG club and you wish to do so then that's just something extra. There are plenty of other challenges, check http://www.gofar.org.uk/ for some ideas or John Fleetwood's blog.
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Originally Posted by Hanneke
