On Sunday 26/4 saw 3 Macs take on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks race known as the Marathon with mountains. The course takes on just over 24 miles and according to my watch includes 5500ft of ascent. We set off In relatively mild and warm conditions from Horton in Ribblesdale. The first climb takes you up Pen y Ghent at 694m high before an 8 mile undulating route over to the Ribblehead Viaduct, before the steepest and longest climb up Whernside 736m with a steep technical and hiker strewn descent. Finally you climb and summit the unique and other worldly flatish topped, Ingleborough at 724m high with tight cut offs it makes for a fast race.
The winners were Ben Rothery and Nichola Jackson. For MAC Sally Hale, David Clifton, Joe Oldfield and myself made the start line. David finished in 5:08, Sally in 4:59 and myself in 4:54. Unfortunately Joe encountered a problem and did not finish (Along with hundreds of others).
The course is tough and technical in places particularly back down Whernside and Ingleborough but unlike your average road race, you get a hot meal and drink included! Yum!
Unfortunately you did have to pay for the photos, so I don’t have any to include apart from this one which was included on the 3 Peaks facebook feed (Sorry Sally).😁
