Blackpool-based British national gravel champion Lizzie Hermolle recorded the fastest known time for a female rider to complete an off-road Everesting challenge, finishing in 11 hours and 5 minutes on 26 March.

Everesting is a challenge where a participant completes repeated ascents of a single hill to achieve a total elevation gain equivalent to the height of Mount Everest. In the context of the document, this elevation is stated as 9,325 metres.

Hermolle began the attempt at 06:17 and completed 65 ascents of Sheep Pasture Incline in Derbyshire to achieve 9,325 metres of elevation, equivalent to the height of Mount Everest. The total distance covered was 157 kilometres, with an average speed of 14.5 kilometres per hour.

Her time is 1 hour and 52 minutes faster than the previous women’s gravel Everesting record set in 2020. 

Lizzie Hermolle, British Gravel Champion, said: “You go through so much in your head with challenges like this. Sometimes you feel great, sometimes you want to stop but to keep going gives you such satisfaction. I enjoy the suffering so this was the perfect challenge. I’d recommend everyone to give the Everesting challenge a go!”

Conditions at the start of the attempt included sub-zero temperatures and frost on the climb, with a reported “feels like” temperature of -4°C. Weather conditions improved later in the day, although a headwind developed during the latter stages of the effort.

The attempt was completed using a Ventum GS1 bike paired with No6 G45 wheels and Vittoria Terreno Dry Endurance tyres. Hermolle completed the challenge without any punctures despite changing surface conditions and technical descents.

Nutrition brand OGT supplied endurance energy bars during the ride as part of Hermolle’s fuelling strategy. The rider maintained consistent energy intake throughout the effort without extended stops. Performance data from the ride recorded a normalised power of 219 watts over 10 hours and 52 minutes, equating to 3.9 watts per kilogram, with a total energy expenditure of 8,224 calories.

Lizzie’s equipment and components were sourced through Lancashire-based Merlin Cycles, supporting the overall setup used throughout the record ride.

Anthony Hoskisson, managing director of Questa Financial Planning, said: “Lizzie setting a new world record is fantastic and a real credit to her dedication. We’re proud to be her sponsor at Questa, and her achievement is a perfect example of the commitment and drive we know she had the day we agreed to support her.”

Questa confirmed its sponsorship of Hermolle in March 2025, with the Blackpool-based financial planning firm providing financial support towards her training, travel and competition costs as she competes at UCI Women’s Continental level with DAS-Hutchinson.

The result adds to Hermolle’s competitive record following previous national-level performances and forms part of her ongoing programme supported by Blackpool-based sponsor Questa.