I completed the Bob Graham Round (anti-clockwise) in 2018. I loved it. I loved training on the fells, on my own or with friends. It opened up a whole new and exciting world of running adventures. Ever since then, I have wanted to paint this view from Windy Gap, looking out to Pillar. It is the point where it starts to feel more remote and quiet, with fewer walkers or runners and I feel a sense of peace with the fells/nature/the world around. It provides an escape. Photos fro

The 13 Valleys Ultra race is almost upon us. Starting this weekend in Keswick and offering races of 180, 110, 55 or 22 km to runners from across the country and the world. This has a gorgeous route, passing through some of the most beautiful areas of the Lake District. I raced the inaugural event in 2023. The conditions were really tough but I survived it to finish first female. It has great memories for me, running around some of my favourite spots in the Lakes and enjoying

Bloody Boulders, Ruddy Rocks Scafell Pike, The Lake District. Acrylic on stretched canvas 16.5" x 11.5" 2019 Why I chose this scene/subject : Before my BG, I got lots of help and advice from my good friend Geoff, at Elvet Striders. He'd do a bit of a leg with me and then I would go alone and master it. There was one section, Lord's Rake, that I had not managed to recce because of the snow over the winter. I was due to support a friend's BG a couple of weeks before my attempt.

Before the Axe Falls Pike O' Stickle The Lake District Cumbria April 2024 Acrylic on canvas board 23.4" x 16.5" Why I chose this scene/subject: On that section, leg 3 of the BG, it's quite a distinctive peak. On my anticlockwise round, that's the view that hits you. It would have been around early evening, I felt that I was doing really well on my BG. As I left Wasdale car park, somebody said " enjoy it while it lasts, it's after Rossett Pike that the wheels will fall off ".

Freedom is a Two-Edged Sword Helvellyn, The Lake District, Cumbria Acrylic on canvas board 23.4" x 16.5" August 2024 Why I painted this scene/subject: Well, this is a no brainer! It's a classic Lakeland view. Going up Striding Edge to Helvellyn was recently voted the best walking route in Britain. It's amazing, for runners like me and the thousands of walkers/hikers who do this every year. It's a great challenge with lofty views. It was a really good test for me as part of th

'I Can't Feel My Face When I'm With You' Helvellyn from Raise The Lake District Acrylic on stretched canvas 16.5" x 11.5" 2019 Why I chose this scene/subject This a view of Helvellyn from Raise. A route on the Bob Graham that I do a lot. It was painted after I'd gone up on a particularly cold day in winter and there was still snow on the ground. I took a picture from Raise and the snow just seemed to highlight the curves and movement of the mountain. On this leg of the BG, th

'Riding the Storm' View from Great Calva, Lonscale Pike, The Lake District Acrylic on canvas board 20" x 16" 2023 Why I chose this scene/subject: I have a strange affinity to Great Calva, a boggy heap that nobody else seems to like. I absolutely adore it as you rarely see anybody there. There's a 'lovely' climb up from the River Caldew with 178 posts before the trod to cut across to the summit, I count them every time in the hope I'll reach the top quicker! At the summit, a

'The Possibility of Tomorrow' Buttermere, The Lake District 2023 Acrylic on canvas board 24" x 20"  Why I chose this scene/subject: This is a really beautiful and favourite view in the Lakes. It presents itself frequently on a common running route for me. The weather is invariably inclement and the valley and lake always look welcoming and safe. I see the colours of the bracken and heather change with the seasons and the skies are often moody and mysterious. It's been a favou

Inspiration for my art and for life in general! Read about overcoming the challenges of this race and how it inspired me to capture the edges on canvas. Elaine Bisson – Ultrarunner, Artist ( wordpress.com )

After seeing so many great runners attempting and completing the Bob Graham Round again this year, I was inspired to return to my own memories and experiences of training for, supporting and completing the BG. The Bob Graham Round was my first great running challenge and I was very lucky to have good friends at Elvet Striders, who loved the fells. They encouraged me and guided me towards this initially impossible goal. I spent my days on the fells and my nights dreaming of th