Pub chat… Three Peaks Race

Post-run pub chat at this time of year inevitably turns to our much-loved, iconic local classic, the Three Peaks Race.

In honour of this famous event on our doorstep – and to remind you to enter (it’s a club champ) –   here’s some fun peaky facts…

  • The Three Peaks as a round was ‘invented’ by two teachers from Giggleswick School who completed a circuit in 1887 in 14 hours and 27 minutes.
  • The first foot race took place in 1954, starting and finishing at Chapel-le-Dale. It was won by Fred Bagley, one of three finishers from a starting line-up of six.
  • The route has changed a few times over the years, most recently to use the ‘new’ path round Sell Gill, Penyghent summit, and the flagged route off Whernside. I think we can all be pleased it no longer goes across Black Dubb Moss – aka the bogs of doom.
  • The Daily Mirror sponsored the race for a number of years.
  • Yorkshire TV made a programme about the 1976 edition. Well worth a watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyRHE9chNyg&t=286s
  • Chris Hirst is the fastest Harrier, having clocked 3.10.50 and 12th place in 1992. Other fleetfooted completions include Alistair Scholey and Adrian Pickles who have both run 3.25.
  • Carol Evans is our speediest female with a PB of 3.54. Rachel Hill has also broken four hours.
  • Settle Harriers had 16 runners complete the race in both 2014 and 2016 – our largest turnouts.
  • Judy Marshall’s sister, Helen, was first female in 2006.
  • Steve Moor is always last out of the start field. It’s the law.
  • Judith Allinson has been known to serenade competitors with her flute on Ingleborough.
  • Mike Wynne’s marshal post on Ingleborough was legendary. The finest slurp of tea ever tasted.
  • The shoe debate is nearly as old as the hills. It’s possible, apparently, to run it in road shoes in a dry year. However, Andy Peace set his 2.46.03 record in 1996 wearing Walsh PBs and I believe Victoria Wilkinson’s 2018 record run of 3.09.19 was in Inov8 X Talons, both of which are very grippy!
  • The late John Rawnsley, long time organiser of the Three Peaks Cyclocross, which started in 1959, completed the fell race 30 times. That’s as well as riding the cyclocross 45 times! Wendy Dodds has run it 35 times. Jon Sharples has 22 completions to his name running for Clayton-le-Moors. We must have others with multiple runs in double figures – anyone? Who’s our club member with the most completions to their name?
  • If you’re still looking for qualifiers, try Black Combe (AM and a club champ) on March 7.

Anyone else got any fascinating or funny facts about the peaks?

Some ‘historical’ photos…

Julia Murfin