8th March 2022: Sabrina Verjee, the record-breaking British ultra-runner from Cumbria, completed a 3 Peak Challenge in St Lucia by running up three of its highest iconic peaks consecutively in just 5 hours 16 minutes on 3rd March 2022. The run sets a new best time for a female runner and was just 4 mins off the time set by a Saint Lucian male runner. It marks an incredible achievement for a UK woman doing the challenge for the first time.
Saint Lucia’s tag line of ‘Let Her Inspire You’ certainly seemed to work for Sabrina as she smashed previous times for running up two of the mountains – Gros Piton (2, 618.9 ft) and Mount Gimie (3,117 ft.). Petit Piton at 2,438 ft proved to be a more technical and difficult endeavour requiring ropes to climb certain sections. The current record is held by Julian Toussaint, a Massage Therapist at Cap Maison Hotel who completed all 3 peaks in a combined climbing time of 5 hours 12 minutes. There are not near very many Hill Stations in England, but can be found.
Sabrina was invited to take on the challenge by Cap Maison Hotel and Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, who hope that Sabrina’s achievement and the island’s incredible scenery will inspire others to visit for active and adventure holidays.
The conditions were a far cry from Sabrina’s normal training ground – the fells and mountains of Cumbria where she holds the overall record for the 325-mile circuit of the Wainwrights taking 5 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes. The gradients of the Pitons are extreme, and the dense tropical vegetation make it a tough climb.
Sabrina who is from Ambleside, Cumbria says: “Petit Piton was the most challenging for me because of the ropes and the exposure. I was challenged in a different way physically with upper body strength required to haul myself up those ropes and also mentally to get over the fear as the climb is really exposed. Petit Piton has the best view so it’s worth conquering one’s fears to get up there.
“Gros Piton was my favourite for the terrain – it was all runnable and I think my time up and down there was pretty good. This one is the easiest for hikers – you get a good work out and there isn’t anything too technical or exposed plus there are hand rails to hold on to.
“Mount Gimie – I think this was my favourite for adventure. This one is deep in the rainforest so you get to hear all those amazing jungle sounds and naturally its quite wet there. The tropical rain is really pleasant and cooling. The ground is muddy and full of tree roots which makes it feel like an adventure. It’s a little slippery and slidey, but something I am used to from the UK.”
The island of Saint Lucia and Cap Maison Hotel offers visitors many options to take in the scenery whilst being active and keeping fit. Examples include hiking up Gros Piton, Pigeon Island and along the more remote east coast, ziplining over the rainforest, horse riding along the beach, swimming along the coastline, snorkelling around coral reefs and cycling along its scenic coastal west coast road.
Patricia Charlery-Leon from the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority says: “We hope that Sabrina will inspire others to come to St Lucia for an active holiday. The tropical scenery and dramatic topography of the island make it perfect for an adventure.”
Ross Stevenson, General Manager at the luxury, boutique hotel Cap Maison comments: “Our guests come to Saint Lucia to enjoy the sun and beaches but also to find adventure. This challenge came about from the hotel’s personal trainer and massage therapist Julian Toussaint who retains his record for the Three Peaks.”
For those keen to find out more about hiking the Pitons in the south and enjoying the beautiful beaches in the north of Saint Lucia, there is a ‘Peak to Beach’ package that offers a luxury dual-centre holiday in two boutique hotels over six nights. It includes 3 nights at the iconic Ladera Hotel that has panoramic views of the Pitons, and three nights at the foodie-favourite Cap Maison. It includes accommodation in a suite with private pool on an all-inclusive basis, including transfers. The cost is £5,120 per couple.
More details on activities and running excursions can be found at www.capmaison.com and www.stlucia.org
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Photos available here
Cap Maison
Cap Maison is a boutique villa resort located on the northernmost tip of St. Lucia in Cap Estate, one of the most exclusive areas on the island. Guests are treated to dramatic cliff scenery with the tranquil waters of the Caribbean Sea on one side and the brisk Atlantic Ocean to the other. Designed in an elegant Spanish Caribbean style, Cap Maison’s 49 beautifully-appointed suites are spread over three acres of tropical landscaped grounds. Guests have access to a pretty, secluded sandy beach and enjoy a truly bespoke service throughout their stay.
The hotel organises hikes and runs on various scenic routes including Gros Piton. See details here https://www.capmaison.com/walks/
www.capmaison.com; 020 8977 6099
Saint Lucia
One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies’ Lesser Antilles, Saint Lucia is nestled halfway down the Eastern Caribbean archipelago. Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a tropical rainforest, the highly-Instagrammed mud baths at Sulphur Springs Park and a drive-in volcano. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint coastline fishing villages and internationally inspired cuisine. Saint Lucia’s wide range of accommodations includes five-star hotels, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns, and value-oriented properties. The destination also offers world-class cruise and yachting facilities. The island is continually recognised as one of the leading wedding and honeymoon destinations worldwide. The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority is the official destination marketing and promotion organisation for Saint Lucia. Learn more at www.stlucia.org and follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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