Peak Bagging Wainwrights - with Author of Where There’s a Hill Sabrina Verjee

In this episode of the Inspiring Adventure Podcast by Vertebrate Publishing, we are joined by Sabrina Verjee, ultrarunner, adventurer, and author of Where There's a Hill. Best known for her record-breaking completion of the Wainwrights round, Sabrina discusses her journey from adventure racing to ultrarunning, the planning and execution of her challenges, and the importance of confidence and resilience in the face of failure. She shares insights on the camaraderie within the running community, the role of Peak Bagging, and her life in the Lake District. Sabrina also hints at upcoming projects, including a new book focusing on philosophical questions related to running and personal growth.

Sabrina Verjee lives in the Lake District, where she spends a lot of time running in the fells she loves. She has a background in adventure racing and modern pentathlon but is best known as an ultrarunner. She set a female record for the Pennine Way in 2020, was the overall winner of the 2019 Summer Spine Race, and has finished the ultra-endurance Dragon’s Back Race three times. Fuelled by a love of cake and supported by her husband Ben and a team of fell-running friends, Sabrina made four attempts on the 214-peak Wainwrights Round, and in June 2021 became the first person to complete it in less than six days. She runs her own independent, small-animal veterinary practice in Lancashire, which provides twenty-four-hour care to emergency patients. Where There’s a Hill is her first book.

00:00 Introduction to Sabrina Verjee

00:30 Discovering the Wainwrights

03:46 Planning the Wainwrights Round

05:43 Navigating and Team Coordination

07:13 The Joy of Running and Socialising

11:37 Learning Navigation Skills

18:18 Embracing Failure and Independence

24:27 Favorite Running Spots

26:32 Reflecting on the Wainwrights Round

27:23 Support System and Spontaneity

29:06 Helping Others and Community

30:08 Balancing Work and Play

32:22 Achieving the Wainwrights Record

33:28 Life in the Lake District

38:09 Writing 'Where There's a Hill'

45:23 Philosophical Musings and New Book

50:58 Future Running Goals

52:40 Closing Thoughts and Where to Follow

Links

Where There’s a Hill book by Sabrina Verjee

Peak Bagging Wainwrights book by Karen and Dan Parker

Follow Sabrina on Strava

Follow Sabrina on Instagram

References

Alfred Wainright

There is No Map in Hell book by Steve Birkinshaw

Joss Naylor

Alan Heaton

Ed Douglas

Fastest Known Time (FKT)

Host & Recording

This episode was hosted by Sarah Lister, author of Mountain Walks Kinder Scout. It was recorded online on 2nd October 2025. 

Social media

Follow Vertebrate Publishing on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky. 

Music

Music by Mikhail Smusev from Pixabayhttps://pixabay.com/music/future-bass-no-copyright-music-394971/