Athletics: Harriers enjoy Peak challenge.

RUNNERS from Holmfirth Harriers faced up to stiff competition at the legendary Three Peaks Race last Saturday.

The 24.5 mile route, taking in the summits of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, is always a formidable challenge.

However, this year the event was also the annual World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge, leading to a truly international, world-class field.

Despite its length and arduous nature, the popularity of the Three Peaks Race has gained steadily in recent years. This year, the scramble for entries was intense, with places disappearing faster than cup final tickets.

Of the 750 plus runners who set off from Horton-in-Ribblesdale, 685 completed the course.

Conditions for racing - and spectating - remained good all day, with the threatened rain never materialising.

The race was won by Jethro Lennox from the Scottish club Shettlestone Harriers in 2.53.39.

Anna Pichrtova of the Czech Republic was the first female runner back, knocking more than a minute off the women's record to finish in 3.14.43.

First home for Harriers was fell captain Tom Brunt in 3.30.06, securing a place in the top 100 finishers. Brunt's time, although creditable, was almost 10 minutes slower than his personal best for the course, set in 2007. He attributed this drop in performance to having raced hard two days earlier at the Holmfirth Harriers annual Point-to-Point event.

Next Harrier to cross the line was supervet and Three Peaks novice John Ewart in 3.47.37. Concerns that a calf injury might slow his pace were luckily unfounded, and Ewart had an excellent race. In fact, he was running so well that his support team at the Ribblehead road crossing very nearly didn't have his energy drink ready. Gavin Baxter was the third Holmfirth finisher, sneaking just inside the four hour window in 3.58.52.

At 66-years-old, Holmfirth's Bill Wade was one of the oldest runners in the competition. A true Three Peaks connoisseur, he finished ahead of many younger runners in 4.43.34.

The only female Harrier to tackle the Three Peaks Race this year was Jean Shotter, who completed the course in 4.45.36.

RESULTS: 80 Tom Brunt 3.30.06, 156 John Ewart 3.47.37, 229 Gavin Baxter 3.58.52, 309 Andy Hauser 4.12.41, 386 Jan Danilo-Garbacki 4.24.28, 518 Bill Wade 4.43.34, 527 Jean Shotter 4.45.36, 559 Rod Futrell 4.51.36.

CAPTION(S):

ON THE PEAK: Pictured are (top) Tom Brunt (left) and John Ewart and (above) Bill Wade. Pictures by Norman Berry (zzhwe290408peak)