A DETERMINED son completed a Lake District challenge that only one in three of the fittest fell runners complete - six months after leaving rehab for alcohol addiction. 

Jamie O'Callaghan, 36, completed the Bob Graham round which involves running a 66 mile, 27,000ft circuit of 42 of the highest peaks in the Lakes within 24 hours. 

Jamie had to run the first part of his round at night after leaving KeswickJamie had to run the first part of his round at night after leaving Keswick (Image: Submitted)

He admitted that he 'threw up a Pot Noodle' when he was at the top of Yewbarrow in Wasdale, which was just over two-thirds of the way round the circuit at 47.5 miles. 

Jamie did the run in the memory of his dad and devoted Kendal Town Football Club fan Graham O'Callaghan, who died after a short battle with cancer in September. 

"My dad wasn't well," Jamie said. "He supported me and I was originally going to do it on his behalf - a bit of positivity for my dad - but it was a short battle. 

Jamie at a trigpoint as he completes the circuitJamie at a trigpoint as he completes the circuit (Image: Submitted)

"His football club Kendal Town was very close to him. He was on the committee for a number of years."

Jamie has struggled with alcohol addiction at points in his life due to traumatic events such as losing close friends in 2009 and 2015. The year his second friend died, Jamie completed his first marathon. 

Jamie with his team, who made his round 'a reality'Jamie with his team, who made his round 'a reality' (Image: Submitted)

When something major happens in his life he said he 'turns to running as some sort of escapism'.

"When my dad passed I had a bit of a wobble," Jamie said. "I went straight back in rehab for two months. I have had to battle with that again."

As soon as he left rehab, Jamie trained for six months to get himself fit for the run. He was still not sure if he was in enough shape to complete it when he started the run at 10am on Friday 14 June.  

He completed the round only six months after leaving rehabHe completed the round only six months after leaving rehab (Image: Submitted)

Nonetheless, he finished the round in 23 hours and 38 minutes. He thanked his team who supported him at different stages of the race and made completing it 'a reality.' 

Despite the extreme physical challenge, he described it as an 'amazing day,' praising the support he received from members of the public as he completed the round in Keswick. r last year 
Jamie finished the round in less than 24 hours, meaning he is now part of the Bob Graham club Jamie finished the round in less than 24 hours, meaning he is now part of the Bob Graham club (Image: Submitted)

In terms of the future, he said he 'needed focus.' Jamie is looking at completing the other Big Rounds: the Paddy Buckley in Wales and the Charlie Ramsay in Scotland. 

Jamie's fundraiser is for Kendal Town, who will play in the Ebac Northern League next season.