70th Annual Three Peaks Race

6 Glens Runners were amongst the 745 starters taking on this year’s Yorkshire Three Peaks Race on Saturday. Nicknamed The Marathon with Mountains the route covers over 24 miles and 5300 ft of climbing by way of Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough summits which sounds mighty craic but is actually quite difficult, something I’m sure the 127 DNFs would attest to.

The first 4 miles call for a steady runnable (mostly) 2280 ft ascent up to the top of Pen-Y-Ghent followed by a 7/8 mile fast net descent to the halfway point at Ribblehead Viaduct where the wiser folk had stashed additional water and gels. This year this first half section was very warm and, coupled with the hard pace of the downhill trail, would see front runner for the Glens, Jonny Steede, struck down with a merciless attack of cramp. By all accounts (i.e. Jonny’s 30 retellings of the episode) a lesser man would have needed airlifted from the course but in typical fashion the Steede would battle through his affliction to finish an impressive 31st in 3:40.

Next in for Glens Runner was myself (John Marrs). Tired legs after the second summit meant as soon as I tried striding out downhill along Whernside’s ridge ‘path’ I managed to clip a rock and tumble in a heap to the horror of onlookers who had just stepped aside to allow me by. The same lads leapt to my aide and had me on my way shortly after with a few grazes and 2 badly cramping calves. _{^{I’m not a big complainer, I don’t like to talk about it, I’m sure I’ve barely mentioned it before now...fyi 2 cut palms, a cut knee, a wild bad elbow… did I mention the calves?}} I hobbled back home to 52nd place in 3:51.

Dom McLarnon would be next up for the club. The only man among us to think of taking along salt tablets… and bog roll. One of these items would prove vital. When all was said and done Dom’s dignity remained intact (he insists) and he would post a very strong 122nd place in 4:14.

No stranger to long runs in the hills, Naomi McCurry had a fantastic outing, finishing 23rd in 4:35 in a very strong field which included multiple sponsored athletes.

Bringing up the rear and almost neck and neck were Joanna Wheeler Connon 56th W overall and 17th WV40 in 4:58 and Conan Brown 376th in 4:59. This was Joanna’s 3rd go at the Three Peaks Race and unlikely to be her last. This was Conan’s first time round it, I’m not sure he loved it but that wont stop Naomi dragging him back next year.

And finally…. Friend of Glens Runners and fellow traveller Timothy Johnson placed an incredible 9th in 3:25. For this reason alone we decided to stay behind to attend prize giving and its just as well… Despite our cramps, tumbles and ‘the rest’… Jonny, myself and Dom managed to win the MV40 team prize. A great day out!