AN AMBLESIDE vet and ultra runner who was forced to call a halt to her attempt to break the 214-peak Wainwrights record amid brutal weather conditions has vowed: “This story isn’t over.”

Sabrina Verjee was ahead of schedule when lower-than-expected temperatures began to set off her asthma.

Poor weather on day four aggravated the situation and made it increasingly difficult for her to breathe during ascents.

She was forced to stop, rest and take stock of the situation early on Tuesday morning.

With the weather forecast remaining unfavourable, her asthma still problematic and snow on the fell tops, Mrs Verjee decided to abort her attempt to run all 214 peaks in the shortest time.

She said: “This is not the conclusion that I had anticipated and of course I am hugely disappointed to have had to stop.

“However, for a good part of the run, it was a great experience with wonderful company.

“I said at the start that this was a team effort and I couldn’t have asked for better teammates on my journey around the Wainwrights.

“I am so grateful for their support, and humbled by it.

“I am also grateful to everyone who has been following our progress and for the many lovely messages that I have received throughout.

“I love running and I love exploring the Wainwrights. We have unfinished business.”

Mrs Verjee set off on the 525km route, which would have seen her tackle 36,000m of ascent, on Friday.

She had initially been aiming to complete the challenge in under six days. This would have seen her smash the record of six days and six hours set by Paul Tierney in 2019.

The record holder before Mr Tierney was Steve Birkinshaw, who ran it in six days and 13 hours in 2014.

Mrs Verjee, 40, completed the epic 214-peak run last year, becoming the first woman do to so.

However, she subsequently said her attempt should not constitute a women’s record because she had been forced to lean on supporters for parts of the run after suffering a knee injury.

Mrs Verjee is one of the UK’s leading ultra runners.

She has completed the legendary multi-day Dragon’s Back Race in Wales on three occasions, finishing second in the women’s race twice.