Fell Running - World dimension to Three Peaks

11:45am Saturday 26th April 2008

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AN ELITE field will assemble as part of the 54th running of the Three Peaks Race in the Yorkshire Dales this Saturday.

Among the usual field of fell-runners for this Dales classic, competitors from all points of the compass will be taking part in the World Long-distance Mountain Running Challenge for 2008.

The Challenge will attract about 100 elite overseas runners, who receive free accommodation and have their travel costs subsidised to take part.

The race involves three separate climbs of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in the 24-mile Dales circuit, with a total of 4,550 feet climbed.

The Three Peaks men's record-holder is Andy Peace with a time of 2hr 46min 3sec, while Sarah Rowell holds the women's record of 3hr 16min 29sec.

Danny Hughes, president of the World Mountain Running Association, said: "We regard the winner of the selected long-distance race each year as World Champion for long-distance mountain running.

"I would describe the race as three up-and-down mountain races separated by two cross-country races.

"British runners regard the Three Peaks as their territory, so it will be fascinating to see who will take up the challenge to put a non-British winner on the podium for the first time in the event's 54-year history."

n RUNNERS competing in Saturday's 12th Anniversary Waltz race from the Newlands Valley, near Keswick, took a buffeting from the high winds over Robinson, Dale Head and Catbells.

The winds were so high that the organisers decided that in the interests of safety competitors in the junior U16 and U18 race should not go on to the summit ridge and instead the youngsters did two circuits of the more sheltered U14 course.

Dark Peak's Lloyd Taggart (1-33-10) won the senior race ahead of three Borrowdale athletes - Simon Booth (1-34-22), Jim Davies (1-34-33) and Dufton's Morgan Donnelly (1-35-14). Davies was the first V40 with Mark Palmer (1-42-01) second in seventh position. Kendal's Rick Stuart was seventh V40 in 16th place.

The first lady to finish was U23 runner Emma Clayton (2-01-01) of Scunthorpe and District, with Ambleside's Helen Garrett (2-03-45) second and team mate Hazel Robinson (2-04-47) in third. Milnthorpe's Wendy Dodds was first LV50 in 155th position.

The junior races, which form part of the English champion-ship, attracted large fields and provided some entertaining racing for those left behind after the senior race had left the main start and finish field.

One of the most exciting finishes was in the U14 boys' race which Helm Hill's James Knox looked like winning after taking the lead on the climb from his team mate Rory Addison. But with the finish line tantalisingly within sight he was overhauled by Tamworth's Kristian Edwards and Leigh's Richard Powell.

The girls' race saw Dallam's Robin Goodfellow just miss out on a top three finish with Ellenborough's Hannah Bethwaite winning.

Ulverston's Tom Doyle turned in a determined and workmanlike performance in the U16 boys' race to finish third behind Jamie Crompton and Tom Sessford. In the girls' race Mel Hyder finished third behind Leigh's Laura Riches and Blackburn's Becky Taylor.

The U12 boys' race was won by Matlock's George Tighe with Dallam's Ben Till was the best placed South Lakeland runner in sixth. Helm Hill's Megan Stuart and Lorna Nunwick were second and third in the girls' race.

Hallamshire's Joe Gratton won the U18 boys' race while Keswick's Rosie Stuart was first girl ahead of Rossendale's Emma Flanagan.