SCORES of trail runners and hill walkers are gearing up to take part in a Clapham Cave Rescue Organisation fund raiser.

The Ingleborough Challenge on May 19 sees participants choose either a 12-mile or a 26-mile marathon circuit around the Three Peaks area of the Yorkshire Dales.

Both routes explore the area around Ingleborough, the second highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. The routes pass through spectacular limestone countryside, and the marathon circuit goes over the summit of the mountain.

The circuits are well-signed, with marshals at key checkpoints to assist participants with route finding.

The challenge is put on by the Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO), the mountain and cave rescue team that covers the Three Peaks and the surrounding area.

Since 1935, the all-volunteer team has assisted thousands of lost or injured walkers, runners, cavers, and climbers, responding to up to 100 incidents annually.

Outgoing CRO Chair Pam Hickin said: “We’re increasingly busy and, like other mountain rescue teams, we rely on public support to cover our operating costs.

"The CRO Ingleborough Challenge is a major fundraiser that helps us provide a vital service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We’re very grateful to all of the runners and walkers that help us by participating.”

Participants can enter at www.cro.org.uk/challenge, where full information on the challenge can be found.

Team member and event organiser Phil Nuttall said: “This is an increasingly popular event, with more people coming every year. We’d encourage anyone who’d like to enter to sign up as soon as possible.”