Mental health campaigner completes Three Peak challenge

  • Presenter Helen Ford spoke to Alex after he completed his challenge.


An adventurer and mental health activist has completed the challenge of scaling three Peaks of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon and running more than 400 miles between them. 

Alex Staniforth, who lives in Kendal, finished the route in nine days 12 hours and 51 minutes, missing out on the record by one hour.

Alex said: "I started on target pace, felt strong and ran the 34 miles by lunchtime but exhaustion caught up with me (fell asleep in a bus stop in Capel Curig) and took my time on Snowdon. Getting down safely was more important."

He completed the gruelling challenge in aid of his charity "Mind over Mountains" and to raise awareness of mental health problems during lockdown. He began his journey from Ben Nevis at 4am on Friday 21 August, and finished up in Wales yesterday after summiting Snowdon.

Alex says he is "aiming to raise £10,000 to restore well-being through life-changing outdoor experiences."

"Re-connecting with nature and the outdoors has never been more important.

"Mind Over Mountains use the transformative power of the great outdoors with a holistic approach to develop positive well-being for individuals across the UK, through residential, day and virtual programmes."

Credit: Alex Staniforth
  • Find Alex's fundraising page here.