The Paddy Buckley Round: A “hoofin’ adventure” for Little Dave - Carmine De Grandis

Some adventures are about personal achievement. Others become something far bigger. 

A Dream Written in the Mountains 

As a trail and mountain runner who lives in the UK, the three classic Rounds have been my ambition and a dream for many years. The three classic rounds are: The Bob Graham Round in England, The Paddy Buckley Round in Wales and the Charley Ramsey in Scotland.  

These involve running over iconic peaks, supported by friends. Those who dare join the ranks of incredible mountain runners, preparing through reccies over gruelling unmarked routes, foreboding ground and, often, battling the elements. I dared to be one of those mountain runners.  

I tried the Bob Graham Round in 2013 and failed. It was a real eye opener. Over the years I worked on what had been my downfall, moving too slow over challenging broken ground. Finally, in 2019 through some great coaching by Kim Collison and with an amazing support team, I completed the Bob Graham Round in 22h51m. I joined one of the most exclusive clubs in the UK: The Bob Graham Club. 

Not long after, I started thinking about completing the next two UK rounds. I realised that both the Paddy Buckley (PBR) and the Charley Ramsay Rounds are harder than the Bob Graham Round. I decided to attempt the PBR without much preparation in 2020. I tried to complete the route unsupported, and I did not even make it to the end of the section which starts at Capel Curig and ends in Nantmor (22 miles). Epic fail! I realised that the Paddy Buckley Round was not only longer and had more elevation, but that it presented more challenging underfoot conditions which would make it difficult to move quickly. I returned home defeated and demoralised. I thought I would never be able to complete it, let alone in 24 hours. Game over.  

However, I am not known for giving up easily - in other words I am really stubborn.  

The Round That Broke Me 

Let’s go back a step… what is the Paddy Buckley Round? In 1981, Paddy Buckley, a Welsh Mountain Guide, devised this round as a gruelling 61 to 66 miles with 8500+m elevation in Snowdonia. Unlike the Bob Graham Round, a runner can start at any point along the route as long as they finish where they start. Due to its rough, pathless terrain and the challenging Welsh weather, it is considered the hardest of the three classic rounds. A beautiful fact is that the first person to complete the round in 1982 was Wendy Dodd, an accomplished mountain runner who is still the keeper of the round records. 

From my 2020 failed attempt, I was ambivalent about going back, but its wild and beautiful nature kept calling. I love Snowdonia and I wanted to experience it through this incredible journey traversing the well-known area of Snowdon, the Carneddau, the Glyderau and the Moelwynion, visiting 47 peaks in one day - or so I hoped. Most runners aim to complete the round in sub 24 hours, but no time limit is stipulated. 

Fast forward to 2026, my general running fitness improved and results at events I had taken part in had also shown this. I felt I should now be able to train and attempt a PBR. As always, I underprepare things - mostly because I am scared of failing!!! -. I planned the year and thought a good time to attempt would be July. This was not a wise decision as in Snowdonia vegetation grows vibrant and makes crossing it very slow. By May, when I realised this, it was too late to change my plans. I did a reccie of two sections in May with my friend Caz on a very hot day. Then I went back to work, in education June and July are busy times of year, and I was seriously thinking I should postpone the attempt until 2027. 

A Phone Call That Changed Everything 

However, life sometimes is really challenging. I was thinking yes, no, maybe…  when I received an unexpected call from Caz. He was very emotional and told me that we had lost a close friend, Little Dave, who, due to his mental health struggle, had taken his own life. I almost dropped the phone. I was speechless for a while and I asked Caz how he was coping. We both cried. At this time only family and close friends knew so it was hard to process the news.

I met Little Dave through volunteering at running events. He was always strong, positive, gave the best hugs and when he looked into your eyes you felt his caring and love. Through his passion for nature and the mountains, he would go on crazy adventures and always inspire me and others to go out and have a “hooffin’ adventure”. How was it possible that we missed all the signs? How was it possible that I had been so busy with my work and plans that I had not checked in to say “hi” and see if he was ok. I knew he had been going through a rough patch. Why? Simply why had the world lost someone so special like Little Dave? 

That evening I decided I was going to run the Paddy Buckley Round in Dave’s memory. He had not had the opportunity to complete it himself, but he would give me strength to achieve what I believed was too hard for me. 

Fifteen Days to Prepare 

With a mix of sadness, incomprehension, and determination I asked friends to support me. My wife Jenny is amazing and offered to be road support, and so did Nikki. She also offered her house as our base. Through word of mouth and a post on social media, other friends offered to run with me, including a few runners from Snowdonia I had not met yet.

The round was only 15 days away, and I would only manage to get there the night before. I tried to stay focused and keep training while planning my PBR… but with less than 10 days to go, I fell heavily on my chest. My big toe hurt massively, and it felt like it was broken. My chest was battered and bruised. How could this happen? Only a few hours earlier I had announced to all the world on social media that I was attempting a PBR and that I was doing it in Dave’s memory!

I tried to stay positive. Three days after my fall, I had an x-ray on my foot. Good news! It was not broken, but it would take time to heal. Bad news! My ribs had been hurting since the fall and now my breathing felt hard. I called Doctor Nikki. She reassured me: “Do not worry. One or two ribs are likely to be broken, but with some paracetamol you will be able to run. It will only take a bit longer to heal”. So… all preps continued. Jenny - who had not had a chance to get to know the PBR before - got food, drinks and everything I’d asked for.

Meanwhile, I worked away from home and got back home with less than one day to the round with hardly any time to prepare my kit, clothes and get myself in the right head space. The Friday came. We left Norfolk, Snowdonia bound. Once we got there and met with Nikki I knew that I was in great hands. All I needed to do was to run, hike or crawl my way through the peaks… wearing Little Dave’s signature clothing: a pink tutu. 

First Attempt: The Mountains Say No 

On Saturday 4th July I started my attempt leaving Capel Curig at 11am. Caz, Rob and LLyr joined me and kept me moving well. The weather was kind and the temperature was lovely. The sprained ribs were not hurting much either. We reached Nantmor 20 minutes below my ideal schedule. Jenny, Nikki and the support for leg 2 were waiting ready to help me with a change of clothes, food and anything else I wanted.

Mark, James and Sanna were ready to go so we started leg 2 swiftly. The section from Nantmor to Pont Coers is as beautiful as challenging. Everyone hates the climb to Moel Hebog and so do I, but the ridge to Y garn is beautiful. While making the error of following Finlay Wild’s lines (Finlay is a mountain goat and his lines are not for everyone) we made a few small detours. However, our spirits were high. A couple of hours in we met Gonks, the absolute legend of Paddy Buckley support.

A local fell runner, race organiser and genuine, good guy. He knows the round like the back of his hand. He took over the Navigation and in no-time we were at the support point. I was already feeling tired, maybe more tired than I should have. I tried to eat but struggled to swallow. I changed my shirt, got my headlamp on, refused to eat and left. Gonks, Chris, Mike, and Mark started moving ahead as darkness fell. The mountain turned moody and misty with the endless climb towards Snowdon Summit.

The headlamp lights were reflecting and navigating in the misty rain became very disorientating. I lagged behind the others but did not give up. Mark kept encouraging me while Gonks led the way expertly. Moving over the Snowdon South Ridge wasn’t easy, but we made progress. When we reached Snowdon summit, Gonks had to admit that he was getting increasingly cold as he had not been able to eat on the move… it was two of us now suffering!

When Gonks said he would go down to Llanberis via the main path, I wanted to follow him. Negative thoughts filled my mind, and I told myself I only needed to reach Llanberis to quit this fated attempt. I told the others, but they kept telling me that I was still moving well, especially downhill. We took forever to reach the checkpoint in the same challenging conditions.

Around 3am we saw the others. Nikki and Jenny were ready to feed me and would not allow me to quit here. I had a change of clothes and I made everyone wait. I tried to eat but failed. I realised that I needed to continue to the next hill. If nothing changed, I could quit there. Kate, Darren, Sanna, and Mike were ready and had a strategy. Endless positive energy, clear safety awareness and a simple line Kate kept saying: “Carmine, just think what would Little Dave say? Would he allow you to quit here when you are still moving well?”. So we started on the 4th leg and the long climb to Elidir Faur.

As we climbed, it got colder. In good weather we would have seen the sunrise just before 5am. The support team kept encouraging me, reminding me about the energy I will have from daybreak. Yet the weather had deteriorated. It started getting colder and the rain intensified. On top of Elidir Faur I stopped and put all my layers on including my waterproofs. I still could not swallow anything. We moved on with the promise of one more peak, one peak at a time.

As I moved further, I felt the humidity and fatigue. I made up my mind. I was going to quit. I told Kate. I tried to explain rationally and, as a very experienced Mountain Leader, Kate accepted that due to the worsening weather, possibly signs of hypothermia and my inability to take on food, the only option was to drop down to Nant Peris. Sanna, Darren, Mike, and Kate gave me a hug, recorded a short message from the hill, and slowly helped me to descend.

At the time I felt I had made the right decision, two days later I regretted it and told myself I should have tried harder. I had covered 45 challenging mountain miles with 6000 metres elevation and 38 peaks. It was a good achievement… yet two days later I told everyone that in August I will have another go and complete the Paddy Buckley Round in Dave’s memory. My friends responded enthusiastically and most said they would help again.   

One More Chance 

A long summer break in the Alps, family plans and available support meant I could only attempt the round again on Saturday 22nd of August. I kept reflecting on how to change my nutrition and hydration and on how to have a clear focus which would make me more resilient.

My fitness was good to go, but I had realised I needed to work on strengthening further my climbing legs and hill speed. I loved doing exactly this in the Alps and in two weeks I accumulated 200km and 12000m elevation, often over technical ground. I included also a fantastic mountain race in Italy, Valgrosina 38km. A real lung buster with 2600m elevation.

On reflection, I ran too hard. I told myself this race was going to be training for the round… but I went too fast and could not stop myself from racing. My climbing speed let me down, but my downhill speed made up for it. I finished with a smile and a 5th MV50-59 and 3rd MV55-59. I found this event energising mentally, but physically demanding. I was tired, but happy and ready for my next attempt in two weeks time. 

The 10 days prior to my second attempt were busy with family and friends as well as work. I did not give myself too much time to plan, but my support team was super reliable. I was also very lucky that my good friend Neil offered to help Jenny out with road support. He is a hero as he would work and then drive from Norfolk to Wales just to help me out. I am so lucky to have friends like him. Four days to the attempt I had everyone in place, and Jenny was now even more prepared in her support role. I was very confident we would get the job done for Little Dave. My 4 goals were: 1) Complete in under-24 hours; 2) Complete the round; 3) Enjoy Snowdonia and 4) Complete the round for Little Dave. 

Getting to Llanberis was a real challenge. Heavy traffic meant it took us 9 hours rather than the usual 7. I am blessed with incredible friends and, this time, Kate hosted us in Nant Peris. Both Kate and I had spent many days with Little Dave when volunteering together at races, so her kindness was even more meaningful.

Before going to Nant Peris, Jenny and I went and checked the exact checkpoint location at Llyn Ogwen. It turns out we got there as fell runners were registering for the ‘Tryfan Dash’, a downhill race on treacherous steep and broken ground from the top of Tryfan to the road in a straight line. Such a cheap race to enter! Only £1 to enter something only a few would dare.  

Through the Night 

I started my second attempt at 3:30 am in Llanberis. Kate gave me a lift to the start, and this lifted my spirit. I was expecting to run with Gonks and Sanna, but as we reached the bus stop, I was overjoyed to see Caz there. He had taken an extra day holiday to be with me again… his pink tutu a clear sign of how much he was still missing Little Dave.

This unexpected surprise filled me with energy, and we seemed to reach Elidir Faur really quickly. Gonks was on his A-game, and his lines were perfect. During one of the sections, we had some really deep conversations, and I felt privileged that the mountains were offering the opportunity for friendship and sharing.

As we reached Glyder Bach - God I did not expect how hard it was to go to the actual top! - dawn broke. The challenging terrain on the Glyders slowed me a little, especially descending over the scree line leading towards Tryfan. Climbing to Tryfan was fun and unexpectedly Gonks made me descend using the Tryfan Dash line. This was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Leg 1 was done. I had 30 minutes to make up. The support point was ready with all I needed. A change of top, water and electrolyte refill, the next food bag, Simon, Ed and Darren ready to go and liquid nutrition to make sure I had plenty of energy for the next section. 

It was now morning and I did not lack energy or inspiration to keep on moving. The Carneddy section is beautiful and quite fast. To reach the top of Pen-Yr-Ole we followed the Dragon’s Back route. The scrambly sections were nice, and the chat was high. We ran well and I was supported once again by incredible athletes. Watching them move so well inspired me to try my hardest and believe I could really complete the round today. Rocky climbs, steep descents and a last scramble led us to the final long boggy section of this leg.

 The weather was not too hot, but the recent rain meant the bogs were back. Still dry, but wet in places. As we hit the road to reach Capel Curig, I started thinking about the bogs coming up over the next section between Capel Curig and Nantmor. Good news! We had made up some of the time. The changes in my nutrition plan seemed to be working, but the gels and electrolytes were causing me to want to go to the toilets much more. Luckily Jo Brown Shop’s staff were kind and allowed me to use their toilet. Once again, a short stop with usual admin and more liquid food. Sanna and Chris were ready. We started running well, but I knew that this would be the leg where the under-24 objective would be decided.  

I climbed Moel Siobad well. Everyone was getting stuck in what was to be the longest leg. I realised we were not moving fast, but I focused on the warmth of the conversation and the amazing views getting my mind into accepting that I was doing my best and I’d rather treasure the process, every moment, than push so hard to achieve under-24 and take simply target the athletic performance out of today.

Before reaching the quarry we climbed peaks which do not feel very defined - always thinking “was that one a peak”? -. I learned to appreciate this area thanks to the amazing weather. It was clear and warm. We could see our starting point and then Cnicht which will be the last one we would visit before descending to the third checkpoint. As we ran, another runner came past with three serious looking support people… they were clearly pacing for a time. While we were pacing for a deeper experience.

Sanna, Chris, and I had a really deep conversation about our lives, our dreams, our struggles, and our plans for the future. I am so grateful for the hours we shared together. Things to note: Sanna found out this leg was 22 miles long, not 10! Chris found some new lines - not sure shorter, but lovely! -. My body reacted to my nutrition and suddenly it turned very “windy”. T

he Molvelyans approach was fantastic, but the climbs felt so hard. The point when my mind gave in and our party lost its way was when we approached Cnicht. This section is always hard, but this time I really struggled. Feet were wet. Power was draining fast and time was hemorrhaging. Thoughts of quitting on arrival at at Nantmor filled my mind.

This time, however, I had prepared for this. I had a stronger why. I would not quit. I also had a way. My new nutrition strategy was working, and my support team knew exactly how to help me. I was going to finish this adventure for me, for those who had come out a second time to help me and for Little Dave.

Up at Cnicht we went, blowing hard. Down Cnicht we came, running fast. We reached the checkpoint no longer able to make up time for my under-24 hours goal but really motivated to keep going and close the loop to join the list of PBR completers. At Nantmor I decided to have a full reset. I got a complete change of clothes, fresh socks and a dry pair of shoes, swapping from my SCARPA Spin Ultra 2 to the SCARPA Golden Gate ATR 2.

Mark and David were ready to go… but I needed to eat. After all, it was dinner time. I told everyone my reviewed plan, and everyone seemed fully on board. I apologised for making my team wait so long at the prospect of another full night out on the hills… the 3:30am finish was slipping away fast, but the thought of seeing a new sunrise over the Snowdon range was exciting. 

A Night Beneath the Stars 

Many people see the climb to Moel Hebog as energy sapping, never ending and challenging due to overgrown the section going up Bryn Banog can be. All of the above materialised while we made slow progress to reach the aforementioned peak. Mark’s endless motivating energy really helped me to keep moving, and David, whom I had not met before, navigated tirelessly.

Neither of us knew the best lines, so this felt like an adventure. Meanwhile, it got dark. The crescent moon was shining bright in a terse sky full of a million stars. We reached Moel Hebog and I threw myself to the ground exhausted eating my squashed ham sandwich and looked west towards the sea.

The red moon was reflecting its splendor in the sea. This magical awe-inspiring moment gave me more energy than a 110g super energy gel. We restarted and kept moving sharing stories of adventures, races, training and how we tried to fit it all in fairly busy working lives. I learnt that Dave, though he had started running only a couple of years earlier, had managed to lose weight and get fit now taking on hard races such as Trans Grancanaria and more. Without realising the weather started changing and mist descended. The ridge before Y Garn was wet and really challenging as we descended using one of Gonks fell lines, invigorating and ankle breaking.

We reached the gate faster than expected and moved well on the forest road leading to Pont Coers where impeccably the support team was waiting. I cannot remember exactly the time we got there, but it was after midnight. Food, drink and a change of clothes and I was ready to leave for the last leg with Emily, Matt and Dave. Mark decided to stop as he was not fully recovered from the 100 miles race, he had run a couple of weeks before. 

Sunrise and Success 

At the start of leg 5 I had the pleasure of meeting in person the newest SCARPA UK Trail Team athlete, Emily. Her partner was also joining us, and Dave continued with his navigation duties - once again, none of us knew the lines well, let alone at night.

We climbed, trudged long grass and fern, turned left, turned right on an endless uphill trajectory to reach Craig Wenn and Yr Aran. The night was dark, but clear. The ground was very challenging. We kept going, knowing the Snowdon South Ridge would be a challenge.

 The ground was not very wet, but the humidity was high and the rocks were slippery. In fact, the scramble woke me up. We reached Snowdon in no time and there were people everywhere. Many people had reached the top and were waiting for the sunrise. The climb to Crib-y-Ddysgl felt longer than it should have. David had now left us as he had a long work drive this morning.

Emily, Matt and I decided to go quickly over the last few peaks, and so we did. As we climbed Moel Elio the sun rose behind the mountains. This was a spiritual moment. At this point I totally reconciled myself with the outcome of this round. I had been humbled by not managing to get round in a quicker time, but I had also been blessed with my friends, the memory of Little Dave and achieving my dream. We chatted and ran all the way into Llanberis bus stop where my journey had started 27 hours and 46 minutes earlier with a fantastic welcome party: Jenny, Neil, Kate, Mark and Dave with Emily and Matt leading me to success.  

A Community Effort 

The Paddy Buckley Round is not a race; it is a personal community challenge. Each completion has its own story. Many are solo unsupported efforts; others would not be possible without the support of the running community. I take my hat off to anyone who has completed the round in under 24 hours. Maybe, just maybe, one day I will have another go. For now, next up is the Charley Ramsey Round.  

Thank you to all who supported me along the way to believe I could achieve this dream. Thank you to Duncan Archers who keeps the rounds completion records. Thank you to Wendy Dodds who took the time to send me a special email to confirm I am the 338th completer.  

For Little Dave 

My round has been officially recorded as “in memory of Little Dave”. If you or I ever reach the point, we cannot share our innermost thoughts and pain with anyone… just remember there are so many people who want you around for much much longer than you think is the case. Let’s talk! Let’s go to the mountains and talk, listen, and talk some more. The mountains and those who are prepared to accompany us are all the healing we need to keep going. Once we are healed, we can then be there for others. No-one is immune to inner struggles, shame, painful experiences, regrets and mental illness. We can all come out the other side stronger. La vita e’ bella… un passo alla volta… in compagnia, mai da soli! Life is beautiful… one step at a time… together, not alone! 

In memory of Little Dave who passed away too soon.