Three Peaks Race. BL 24m / 4500’ 24.4.05

Report from Mick Mac.

On an absolute scorching day, not conducive to fell running, six harriers lined up on the start line with 400 + others for the 51^st running of this famous race, the first long race in our championship and race 3 out of 12. The weather was similar to last year, so we knew we were in for a tough day as we set off through the village and on to the track towards Pen-y-Ghent. We were nicely bunched in the middle of the pack until the last steep section where Alan Metcalfe, our latest convert from the roads, and Ash pulled away.

After clipping on P-y-G it’s a fast decent back down the track before you begin the long arduous run across fields, farm tracks and eventually the road to c.p 2 at Ribblehead. Alan Appleby and myself were running with a large group and kept changing positions, Alan climbing the stiles while I went through the gates. The heat and hard ground was starting to effect my feet and I could feel the beginnings of blisters on each foot. On this section A.A’s road running experience showed as he pulled away from me and I didn’t see him again until the welcome sight of the drinks station at Ribblehead. At Ribblehead the daunting climb up Whernside was bathed in brilliant sunshine ahead of us as tired legs carried us towards the river crossing, a welcome chance to cool red hot feet, before the long climb. Everyone was reduced to walking on the way up and it was hands and feet on the final section. Once on the summit you start descending on the broad track but my feet were playing up and the descent was painful and slow, I was relieved to reach the bottom and flat ground on the road to the Hill Inn. Here the welcome sight of George Andrews, drinks at the ready, lifted my sagging spirits, as I headed to the c.p at the Hill Inn.

At the c.p the sight of Ash sat in a deck chair sunning himself, having retired due to a recurring calf injury, almost made me want to sit down but after a drink and yet another energy gel I soldier on. It seemed ages to reach the final climb up to Ingleborough, the heat and hard going wearing me down, it was a great relief to finally reach the summit. As I began the long descent my feet were really hurting as I tried to run as best I could knowing I was almost finished. I passed some on the way down in worst shape than me and others in better shape passed me but at this stage I didn’t care, the only thing on my mind was to finish.

Once through Suber Nick and across the fields you arrive at the farm track, which you follow for about 100m until you reach the road, you now have about 800m to the finish. The strangest thing now happened. As I reached the track I was completely knackered and glanced back to see if A.A was catching me up only to see our friend Wendy Dodds coming up fast behind me. I started to pick up the pace determined not to let her catch me and as I ran down the road I caught up with a runner from Keighley and Craven. As I came along side him, he picked up the pace determined not to let me pass, so both of us are now sprinting for all our worth, aches and pains forgotten, down the road towards the finish, he was first to the narrow gate and won. It just goes to show, it’s all in the mind. What a relief to finish, get a drink and collapse on the ground for a well-deserved rest. I had knocked 28 minutes off last years time.

This was truly a tough race and we have the blackened toe nails and blisters to prove it, well done to all who finished, especially Pete whose determination saw him through to the finish and Ken Taylor who finished with a great big grin. We retired for a well-earned pint before going home to apply the Lavender to aching muscles.

For the record: -

1^st. Rob Jebb. Bingley. 2.57.50

80^th. Alan Metcalfe. 4.07.03

130^th. Mick Mcloughlin. 4.20.07

209^th. Alan Appleby. 4.43.17

230^th. Pete Carter. 4.48.04

285^th. Ken Taylor. 5.04.48

Ash Nixon. Retired.

Alan Metcalf our new ex roadie Ken Taylor & he's just run for 5 hours!

Team before race, Alan M. and Ken missing Alan Appleby relaxes after his Yorkshire Dales Jog.

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