three peaks mountain marathon. 25 apr 2015
Mary Grace clocks in at 4:45:13, whilst Patrick is left behind in the Yorkshire Wilderness with 4:51:08.Patrick McDougall guest reportsThe storm clouds gathered at the Three Peaks Mountain Marathon at Horton-In-Ribblesdale on Saturday, welcoming the return to the event of Belgravians – seemingly for the first time in five years. Clearly, something that the race has been awaiting.One river crossing. Three mountains. 5,279ft of climb, 23.3 miles. Copious amounts of mud, bogs, and rocks. Marshland. Near vertical ascents (at times, you have to scramble – or at least I did). Very little road. 90% of the course requires you to watch exactly where to place your feet and on occasion to adjust carefully as you land so as not to topple over and plunge downwards… Rain. Lots of it. And strong winds gusting to 35mph - with wind chill, well below 0C at the top of the mountains. Oh. And sleet and snow from before the base of Ingleborough, right up it, at the top, and down the far side. Just to give a break from the rain that was with us for perhaps 60% of the race.
I’ve done this for the past four years, and that was the toughest one by a mile. Well, by 23.3 miles. My preparation of running one 15k race and nothing else in the previous month was a stroke of pure genius. Life, alas, sometimes does that.I have to admit that by 30km I had nothing left to give at all… Legs cramping, physically exhausted. The one-option serves all vegetarian chilli on arrival back at the start tasted like heaven. Heaven, after hell? In retrospect, I enjoyed it of course. Or is that the post event beer talking? It tests mental resolve, but does require a touch of fitness and leg strength.See you next year, Mary Grace?1019 registered. 802 set off. Only 701 completed. 1: (male): Ricky Lightfoot (Salomon International Team) 2:51:42 (not sure how this is remotely possible)1: (female): Helen Bonsor (Carnethy Hill RC) 3:27:24523: Mary Grace Spalton (Belgrave Harriers) 4:45:13552: Patrick McDougall (Belgrave Harriers) 4:51:08 Patrick 26/04/15