From Alison Weston…
A beautiful, blue cloudless sky greeted the runners this year at Horton in Ribblesdale for the 71st Three Peaks race (won last year by the Harriers’ own Ben Rothery).
Sixteen harriers set off at 10.30 am for the gruelling 24-mile course over Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough with loads of supporters en route to cheer us on. There had been the usual pre-race dilemmas about how much water and food to take, which shoes to wear, had we done enough training and would we meet the stringent cut-offs. After 24 previous Three Peaks races you would think I would have it sussed by now, but that’s certainly not the case!
It’s a fast start along the road and then up the stony track to Pen-y-ghent, the top runners flying down as most of us are still ascending. I was feeling quite good and enjoying the first climb, catching Nea up just before the summit, but then realised I was already two minutes down on last year’s time and Liz caught my despair on camera!
Round the nice grassy loop from the top to meet the path again and then the start of the long section to Ribblehead, trying to avert my eyes from the rather too distant views of Whernside and Ingleborough and keep them on my watch. It’s quite a nice undulating route really and I’m always impressed by how fast everyone else seems to be able to run this bit compared to me. When you finally hit the road, you think you’re nearly there, but don’t be fooled – it’s still quite a way. Everyone around me started looking at their watches as they approached Ribblehead checkpoint, with our names read out over the loudspeaker from the commentary box. Great to grab more water and see familiar faces but now three minutes down on last year’s time.
I’d been looking forward to the river crossing to douse myself with water before the long climb up Whernside. The relay pairs have increased the numbers, and we were heel to toe, single file for quite a bit of the way – if you overtook someone you had to continue overtaking until there was a gap to get back onto the path (a bit energy sapping!). The climb gets significantly steeper toward the top of Whernside and cramp was setting in for many runners – myself included. I have experienced cramp in calf muscles a few times before but not in my quads too. Keep your heels down, I remember Jann telling me once, which did seem to help. Most of us crawled the last 50m or so, on all fours. Quick dib at the top, appreciate the fantastic view, then off again, now almost four minutes down and not a lot of time in hand.
Unfortunately, the quad cramp returned if I tried to stride out or lift my legs more, so it was a rather unpleasant and cautious descent. I simply didn’t have the time to trip up or fall over which I’d already seen a few runners do. So, I pretended that Hill Inn was the finish on the rise past the snack shop to the checkpoint at Hill Inn, greatly encouraged on by Helen and Dick. Then through the checkpoint, delighted to have made it with 7 minutes in hand. I needed a few moments to recover though (physically and mentally) and saw Emma by the porta loos – a good a place as any to have a quick rest and pull myself together!
It was difficult to motivate myself to run rather than walk towards Ingleborough and it suddenly looked incredibly steep. As with the last few years I struggled to eat anything and just sipped on water. Delighted to see Jacqui and Steve marshalling near the top and Emma looking strong running along the summit plateau.
Now just the final descent, although a lot of it doesn’t feel like downhill. All nimbleness long gone, just a matter of picking the best line on the path and keeping going. The first sighting of the finish field with about 1.5 km to go is a real high point, and then the run into the finish field is just amazing – a mixture of relief and elation, and probably the reason why I have kept returning for more.
I ran my first 3 Peaks race aged 24, running for Holme Pierrepont club in Nottingham, before moving to Yorkshire some years later and discovering Ilkley Harriers. I spent years chasing a sub four-hour time (when the route was shorter) which I never achieved, the closest I got was 4:10, followed by 4:14 on the way back from my honeymoon! And now I chase the cut-offs instead. But it doesn’t matter, it’s the trying that motivates me and above all it’s fun (well afterwards at least!).
I’m super proud of Nea today running her first 3 Peaks race with not a lot of training (she will agree!) and wearing new shorts, new vest and new shoes on the day. She borrowed my analogue watch with no second hand, speeding down Whernside to make the cut-off, unsure if she had made it or not. In fact, she was 30 seconds outside, but unbeknown to Nea the organisers had decided to extend the cut-offs due to the heat, so she was able to carry on. I thought Nea may be cursing me for encouraging her to take part, but her face said it all running into the finish, and I have a feeling she will be back for more…
From Nea Weston…
My mum has done the Three Peaks almost every year I can remember, so I always thought one year I would do it too, and this was the year. My mum’s 25th and my 1st (and probably only!) I couldn’t believe the number of runners and the atmosphere – when the track dipped near the start you could see people stretching out for miles, and running up Pen-y-ghent felt like a spectator sport as the fastest runners came down. I was surprised by how many other runners were around me for the whole route, and how lovely and encouraging everyone was – both the runners and supporters. Crawling up Whernside was probably a high point as everyone went from two feet to all fours and back to two feet again in unison. Having only ever been up the peaks individually and over many years, it was amazing to do the whole route as part of such a joyful race, and I probably will be back to try it again, though definitely not 24 times – a feat that only seems harder now I’ve experienced the race!’
Alison’s round-up of the other Harrier results…
Hot and hard conditions for the 3 Peaks race on Saturday with over 150 runners not finishing the 39km course. Ilkley Harriers didn’t have their top male runners out this year but we had some outstanding results from the ladies, particularly Kate and Jane, coming 4th and 5th overall, with Kate also 3rd V40 and Jane 1st V50.
Ilkley ladies also won 1st team, including Rachel, 1st over 40 team including Katie and Kate, and 1st over 50 team including Rachel and Jane. Emma completed her first 3 peaks looking incredibly strong and Alison was 2nd V60.
George received a prize for being the youngest competitor, aged 18, and Fraser and Rob easily made the top 100. Charlie and James got round in under 5 hours, and Ash just over. Colm, George, Nea and Simon looked very happy to complete their first 3 Peaks, cheered in by lots of Harriers.
A big thanks to all supporters along the way – it makes such a difference and is very much appreciated.
(1st male Tom Evans, Lewes AC 3:02:17)
(1st female Helen Leigh, Inverness Harriers 3:49:13)
Kate Archer 4.12.09
Fraser Arnott 4.12.25
Jane McCarthy 4.16.41
Rob Green 4.19.35
Rachel Carter 4.46.41
Charlie Kay 4.53.24
James Lumb 4.58.55
Ash Winter 5.09.49
Katie Poulter 5.09.50
Emma Sheppard 5.19.55
Alison Weston 5.22.07
Colm Mccann 5.44.49
George Whittlestone 5.50.49
Nea Weston 5.55.11
Simon Jenkins 6.04.04