Four Irish walkers have climbed the highest five peaks in each part of these islands in record time, while raising almost £20,000 for charity.
Climbing by day and by night, they took 41 hours and 19 minutes to scale the highest points in England, Scotland, Wales, the Republic and Northern Ireland. This is more than four hours less than the previous record time, set in April.
The Five Peaks Challenge ended in success at exactly 10.34 p.m. on Saturday, when the last member of the team staggered across the bridge over the Nevis river at the foot of the Scottish mountain of the same name. There was just enough time for them to savour the achievement of climbing over 17,000 vertical feet with a drink in a nearby pub.
Mr John Morrison, who organised the challenge, said he was "utterly relieved" that it was completed successfully. "None of this would have been possible without the help of our support team and countless others," he said, before uncorking a bottle of celebratory champagne.
The proceeds from the charity challenge are going to Focus Ireland, which is using the money to upgrade its housing advice services.
The record-breaking walkers were Mr Morrison and Mr Sean O'Sullivan of the SOS Hill Walking Group, Mr Oliver Tattan, chief executive of the VHI, and this reporter. Three others were forced to drop out as a result of injury or fatigue.
From 5.15 a.m. on Friday morning when the group started the ascent of Carrauntoohil (1,013 metres) in Co Kerry, it was touch-and-go whether the record would be broken.
Only the assistance of the Garda ensured that the walkers and their support team of drivers, cooks and a physiotherapist made the ferry after climbing Slieve Donard in the Mournes on Friday afternoon. Two Garda motorcycle riders escorted them through Dublin's gridlock at breakneck speed just in time to catch the Seacat from Dun Laoghaire.
The other crucial factor was the weather, which was near-perfect for much of the challenge with warm, dry and windless conditions prevailing.
Struggling to overcome sleep deprivation, the group climbed Wales's highest mountain, Snowden, by night. While the world slept below, they clambered over old miners' tracks, using head-torches to light the way.
Following the descent shortly after 4 a.m., the climbers were whisked up through the Lake District, where the ascent of Scafell Pike was completed in bright morning sunshine. From there, it was a six-hour dash to the Scottish Highlands, and the ascent of the highest mountain in the British Isles, Ben Nevis (1,344 metres).
As part of the charity challenge, four of the mountains have so far been "sold" for almost £16,000 to corporate sponsors from Irish Permanent, VHI, Colgate and Maxwell House. Individual members of the public have also pledged money and anyone wishing to do so should contact Focus Point.
The walkers took three hours and 35 minutes to go up and come down Carrauntoohil, and 2 1/2 hours on Slieve Donard. The ascent of Snowden took four hours 25 minutes and that of Scafell Pike three hours five minutes. The longest climb was Ben Nevis which the four pairs of tiring legs needed four hours 49 minutes to complete.
Asked if he wasn't mad to be undertaking such a challenge Mr Morrison conceded that there was "an element of insanity" in it. "Some people just don't see the point and you have to accept that. But even people who live ordinary lives need to rise above their situation now and again. Otherwise its mundanity - and that's not living."