From Rachel Carter…
It had never crossed my mind to think of running the Three Peaks Fell Race until someone mentioned after I had run the Wharfedale Half marathon that it was a qualifier. I gained the required second qualifier with the Yorkshireman Half and entered. April 2020 became October 2021 for the 66th race. Despite in theory having a lot of time to prepare I didn’t manage any recces and long runs were a bit thin on the ground too. I had decided early on to run this for Samaritans in memory of my brother which took away any racing pressure and made the event more about completing without coming unstuck. The general consensus from the ‘experienced attenders’ was not to go out too fast up Pen-y-ghent so I followed this advice and tried to take on plenty of fuel with an aim to get round without struggling off Ingleborough.
It was fairly warm and humid at the start (I didn’t feel cold in just a vest at 9:30) but cooler in the clagg of the hills. Visibility was poor up Whernside (perhaps good as it hid the steepness of the climb for me as a first timer), with the only sign the top was yet to be reached by the sound of a tantalizing cow bell rung by the Westons who offered much encouragement and jelly babies when you finally got there! Descending for me is about not falling over (I did wish I had worn some different shoes!) so I was fairly steady off Whernside before heading onto Ingleborough. Although it is five miles or so down, I felt good at the top of Ingleborough to run strong to the finish (though there were a few cross-country style bogs and more wet limestone rocks to negotiate!). Support was brilliant so thank you to all those that were there and moved locations to cheer on – I won’t name names in case I miss someone! Thank you also to those who sponsored me – I am pleased to have raised money for such an important cause. It’s a great event with amazing organization, camaraderie on the course and atmosphere at the finish. Given it was Alison’s 20th Three Peaks race she must like it for a good reason!
(1st Gary Greenhow, Ambleside, 3:05:22)
145th Rachel Carter 4:22 (3rd LV40)
206th Dick Waddington 4:37
278th Peter Roll 4:55
288th Paul Howard 4:56
331st Alison Weston 5:05
376th Alistaire MacGregor 5:18
416 finished