This year’s race was the 70th edition of the Three Peaks race 1954 – 2024.
It comes as no surprise to us that Dan Jenkins signed up for a race of this calibre. Not after running back to back long distance events previously in March this year. To give some perspective of the gravity of this event all entrants have to be able to meet 2 cut off times, the first at RIBBLEHEAD (18KM AND 650M ASCENT) IN 2HRS 20MINS the second at CHAPEL-LE-DALE (26.2KM AND 1120M ASCENT) IN 3HRS 40MINS The Three Peaks Race has been run since 1954 and has only been cancelled three times – because snow made roads impassable in 1981, as a result of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001 and in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
Some race history: Completing the circuit of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks is an achievement. Pitting yourself against some of the UK’s best fell runners and setting a record time in what may be winter conditions is an epic performance. But athletes young and old, male and female, return year after year to challenge themselves on the Three Peaks Race over Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. The first race in 1954 started in Chapel-le-Dale with six starters and three finishers. Fred Bagley, of Preston Harriers, won in 3hrs 48 mins.
The race record over the current course was set by Andy Peace, of Bingley Harriers, in 1996. His time of 2hrs 46mins 3secs remains unbeaten despite an international field in 2008 when the Race hosted the World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge. Today the race starts and finishes on the playing field in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, near Settle – its home since 1975. The race is usually run on the last Saturday in April. More than 800 runners will set off to complete a punishing 37.4k (23.3 miles) with 1,609 metres (5,279ft) of ascent and descent. It owes its origins to three teachers from Giggleswick School, near Settle, who claimed to have completed a walking circuit in 10 hours in 1887. After the first race in 1954, it grew in popularity until 251 competed in the last race from Chapel-le-Dale in 1974. By then it had outgrown available space and was moved to Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
The Three Peaks Race is now part of the World Mountain Running Ranking a project by the WMRA with the aim to highlight, showcase and reward the best mountain running athletes and races.
Dan accomplished this outstanding acheivement an impressive time of 4:47:08! An absolutely fantastic effort of endurance and commitment to running, well done!
