Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association
www.nimra.org.uk

Next Saturday the World Mountain Running annual long distance race takes place over the Three Peaks race route in the Yorkshire Dales. The race is one of the long standing classics, covering 23.3 miles with 1710 metres of ascent. 

 

Local runners entered include Des Woods, Gary Bailey, Brian Spence, Fiona & Bill Maxwell, Dave Ewart, Norma Rea, Wes Kettyle, John McBride, Jim Patterson, Ian Taylor, although not all are guaranteed to appear on the start line.  Joe Lalor and Moire O?Sullivan from IMRA are also entered. With 902 athletes on the entry list it is to be hoped that not everyone appears! 

 

Horton to Pen Y Ghent, 3.7 miles, 470 m climb

First on a broad farm track, then on narrower track and path towards the top.

 

Pen Y Ghent to Ribbleshead, 7.3 miles, 220 m climb

Descent back over part of outward route ? one of the delights of being in the second half of the field will be seeing Rob Hope, Rob Jebb and Ian Holmes descending this at speed ? class!.  Following the main descent on path or grass track, the route undulates in a cross country fashion on grass and paths to Lodge Hall, where the minor road is used for a mile to the second check point.

 

Ribbleshead to Whernside, 2.4 miles, 480 m climb

Path and tracks across to the base of Whernside, from where the ascent is all on grass.  The climb is in two stages, with a flatter wet part between and the second climb gets increasing steeper, Lurig style, towards the top.

 

Whernside to Hill Inn, 2.9 miles, 45 m climb.

Follow the ridge on the main track and then steeply downhill on path and track, awkward rocky bits in places with road for last half mile to fourth checkpoint.

 

Hill Inn to Ingleborough, 2.4 miles, 480 m climb

On main tourist route up, first on grass and path, then boardwalk, with short sharp ascent to plateau followed by a few hundred yards on grass and rocks to summit.

 

Ingleborough to Horton, 4.6 miles, 15 m climb.

Along broad path, with rocks, very slippery if wet with final section into Horton on grass.

 

You can leave water containers at Ribblehead & Hill Inn with race supplies at High Birkwith (7.4 m) and Sulber Nick (21 m) but there is not really much water available apart from this.