Came across a small group of Coast to Coasters yesterday bivouacking near Scarth Nick. They were on an exercise requiring them to complete the walk, carrying their own provisions, at an average of 3 MPH, ie 65 hours including stops. I was going to offer to accompany them on the last section but felt that their pace would slow me down!
Sooner them than me.To average three mph with stops you would have to spend half the time jogging at 5mph or more.
Thing is did they do it in that time. It could be a case of a bit like the many, many Marathon runners I know that state they are going for a particular time.
Many when asked later if they succeeded, reply, "No, but I was on target at 20 miles."
Things can only be compared if done in identical ways.
If I do get an early opportunity to have an E - W attempt, it is unlikely to compare with LWMs future attempt, as I intend following the low level route between Reeth and Keld, a different seasonal route up Nine Standards, a lower level after Rosedale railway, possibly different route from Dunmail to Rosthwaite. I will also be all walking,(probably) and carrying a tent.
There are just so many variables.
Also the age thing comes into it, for example Mike Hartley still holds the record at a little over 39 hours for a fully supported run. What time would be considered comparable to that for someone say 35 years older.
The Lakeland Joss Naylor challenge is for the over 50s only. At 50 the time allowed is 12 hours, at 60 it's 18 hours and 65 is 24 hours (Double that at age 50). These times weren't just guessed at, but calculated for the human bodies physiologically changes between ages.
Dave.