Imogen Trinder remembers lacing up her first walking boots to tackle the mountains when she was just 9 years old, now she is completing ultra-marathons through the hills.

Growing up in the West Midlands, Imogen and her family would often explore mountainous terrain and a familiar favourite was the summit of Snowdonia. Upon moving to Manchester for university, Imogen knew she wanted to return to the welsh mountain trail.

She had grown up watching her dad complete various mountain runs and admired the strength that they took. Setting herself a challenge alike no other, Imogen decided that she would complete the Paddy Buckley Round.

One of three events in Great Britain, the Paddy Buckley Round sees a 61-mile route over 47 Snowdonia summits, with over 28,000 feet of ascent.

This race would act as a ‘pilgrimage to the places that have made (her) who (she) is’. And so, Imogen completed this mammoth challenge in June, a challenge which she will never forget.

“It took a lot of time and effort as well as pain on the day and it took me 31 ½ hours to complete.

“But I had the most amazing support network around me. My dad and grandad were at every road crossing with all kinds of supplies,” she says.

Imogen was also joined on the hills by her amazing friends at Glossopdale Harriers, a club which she has been a member of since 2017.

Finishing her Paddy Buckley Round, photo by Daniel Stinton.

Glossopdale introduced Imogen to a wider world of fell running and provided her with a crew full of people who are on hand to support her.

“We have coached sessions on a Tuesday and those are great for training as well as providing the social benefit.
“It’s great to be able to run with everyone and generally if you’re going out for a run you can post on the group and there’s almost always someone that will come with you,” she says.

Imogen’s love for adventure was mainly inspired by her dad, who would often take the family on climbs and rambles. Her father also completed the Original Mountain Marathon which is a two-day event held in different regions across the UK every year.

Imogen completed this event for the first time when she was 16 and fell in love with it, she is set to do the next one in October.

“It’s a lot about navigating as well as running because they put you in an area without telling you where you’re going to be, they only give you your map on the day!” she says.

Imogen will be completing the Long Score course this year, which will provide her with even more of a challenge.

“Rather than having to do a set route you instead have a time limit to go and find as many checkpoints as you can.

“It’s really tactical with 7 hours on the first day and 6 hours on the next while also carrying all your camping equipment,” she says.

Completing the Original Mountain Marathon alongside her sister.

She will be completing this intense course with a fellow runner from Glossopdale Harriers by her side.

After having spent so much of her life trekking through the hills, Imogen has decided to test herself to a road marathon next year.

She will be completing the Manchester Marathon in April and despite having done much larger distances in the past, she is excited to test her skills on a road race.

Imogen says that finding Glossopdale Harriers and immersing herself into the hills was a saviour for her after having moved here for university.

“I noticed a massive difference in how I felt when I was able to get into the hills. They are brilliant for stress relief and just allowing me to feel positive about things.

“Joining a club and having all those people was great too, I ran for years without being a member of a club and I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t done it earlier,” she says.

Imogen has worked tirelessly to become the runner and adventurer that she is today, she proves that with dedication and drive even things that you believe are superhuman can be achieved.

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