Is that the path just SW of Winterscales Farm where the 1:25k OS Map says 'shakeholes'?
Is that the path just SW of Winterscales Farm where the 1:25k OS Map says 'shakeholes'?
That's the one. You go under the viaduct following the track and over the bridge at Gunnerfleet Farm, then follow the lane through a field (Jack's Moss), left at the top after the gate and then pretty swiftly right over a ladder stile. You follow the wall line trod heading for Whernside to another stile and, after that, the path is plain to see. A proper climb too, very similar to the actual fell race in steepness, especially the final bit
Last edited by Stolly; 21-02-2019 at 08:54 PM.
Still thinking about racing on the 27th? Entries close 8am Monday morning, so make your mind up this weekend and get your entry in
If you're not racing, we are looking for a minibus driver to take our equipment and marshals out to checkpoints? see the race from a totally different side....
Three Peaks Race 2019
It was his first attempt at the Three Peaks Race, but Brennan Townshend demonstrated he is a fell runner of great potential when he won the 65th event - beating international athletes including past victors Ricky Lightfoot and Tom Owens.
The former professional cyclist, who runs for Keswick Athletics Club, planned to visit the Yorkshire Dales last week to reconnoitre the 23.3-mile route over Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, but his car broke down, so he just turned up and did his best.
His best already looked promising when the 25-year-old reached the summit of Pen-y-ghent (2,777ft) in 27mins 53secs, which gave him a newly introduced spot prize of £100 for the fastest person from the race start in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, near Settle. Veteran Three Peaks watchers were impressed, but confident Townshend would burn himself out before the finish, but it was not to be. He was eight seconds faster than the 2014 and 2015 winner
Ricky Lightfoot and was to stay ahead at every checkpoint except the Hill Inn where he was beaten
by two seconds.
Townshend climbed Ingleborough (2,372ft) 1min 27secs quicker than Lightfoot and set off down the
long sprint to Horton to claim another new £50 spot prize for the fastest decent to the finish in a
time of 27mins 12secs. Townshend’s winning time of 2hrs 50mins 22secs claimed the £200 first
prize.
He was 4mins 19secs outside Andy Peace’s record over the current course set in 1996. Townshend
missed the £500 bonus on offer to a record breaker, but plans to return. He said: “I will definitely be
back next year. It’s a really nice course.”
On a day of torrential rain, hailstones, sleet, changing visibility and strong winds, Townshend can be
proud of his run. Lightfoot, World Champion Trail Runner in 2013, finished second in 2hours 52mins
5secs, his second best time over the Three Peaks, before driving back to Cumbria to start a nightshift
as a firefighter.
Carl Bell, 36, also of Keswick AC, finished third in 2hours 55mins 44secs ahead of Tom Owens, of
Shettlestone Harriers in Glasgow, who set 3hrs 15secs. Owens won the Three Peaks in 2011 and
2018. Owens, 37, and Lightfoot, 34, are members of the Salomon International Team.
Owens , who left it to the last minute to enter Yorkshire’s “Marathon with Mountains” hoping to be
fully fit, has been at Salomon’s medical institute in Annecy in the Rhone Alps with foot and ankle
problems and then suffered a glut injury two weeks ago.
The Three Peaks female record holder, Victoria Wilkinson, 40, of Bingley Harriers, who is an
ambassador for the race sponsor, the all-terrain footwear and equipment company Inov-8, was
fastest lady in a time of 3hrs 20mins 1sec. Her 2017 record, when she finished 13 th , is 3hrs 9mins
19secs, but her 26 th place out of 753 starters on Saturday was two minutes quicker than last year.
Victoria’s 32mins 47secs to Pen-y-ghent summit claimed the ladies spot prize of £100 for the fastest
ascent and she also won another £50 spot prize for the 32mins 34secs she took to descend from
Ingleborough to the finish. These were additional to her £200 prize for being first lady finisher.
The four times Ladies Champion was followed home by Annie Roberts, 24, of Todmorden Harriers, in
68 th place in 3hrs 41mins 2secs. Third female was first timer Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn, 35, of Keswick
AC, who was 81 st in 3hrs 45mins 7secs.
Prized were presented by Colin Robinson, who ran for Rochdale Harriers when he won the Three
Peaks 50 years ago, and his wife, Brenda, who competed in the first women’s race in 1979. Colin’s
time in 1969 of 2hrs 44mins 44secs was over the original route, which started at the Hill Inn. The
current route is significantly longer.
David Parker, 54, of Littledown Harriers, travelled from Bournemouth on the eve of the race to
complete his 21 st Three Peaks to claim the special award made to men who finish that number and
women who finish 15. His step-father, Roy Breakall, who achieved the award 21 years ago, normally
helps to flag the course.
The race was not without incident. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance , the Cave Rescue Organisation and
RAYNET, were involved in the evacuation of two runners from Whernside. The helicopter took one
casualty to a site near the Hill Inn, where he was collected by a road ambulance, and another was
taken to the Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.
Further details are on the race website at: https://www.threepeaksrace.org/
Brian Dooks, Three Peaks Race Association.
Really please for my clubmate John Armitstead (father of Lizzie) who won the mens Vet 60 prize, after many years of doing this event.
A few minutes of footage from PYG, Hill Inn and the finish line:
https://vimeo.com/333149399
Nice video there! Had a great time on my first 3 Peaks Race. Challenging weather in some parts and some slippery rocky bits, but the views were amazing, particularly looking back to Ribblehead Viaduct. Tried the usual Friday night fuelling strategy of steak and kidney pudding, chips, peas and gravy with a fish on top, followed by a brew. Seemed to work until Hill Inn! Made it there in about 3h10 and shuffled on to just under 5h at the end. Not that it was about time. So many people seemed to be loving it, just being out there and battling! Never chatted with as many runners. Marshals and organisers were great. Back next year? Yep!
Great stuff Tsar. Fueling sounds spot on
Thanks Derby Tup! Haha, it beats pasta and rice