Completing the London and the Berlin Marathon in 2007 I searched for a new challenge to keep myself busy in 2008. The difficulties of trying to get a place in the London Marathon forced me to apply for a marathon with a first come first served policy and so it was off to Paris in April 2008. Due to the Marathon distance now being considered easy I decided to add the Yorkshire 3 peaks onto the challenge. The aim was to complete both events in a one week period raising money for the Forces Children’s trust.

After much training throughout the winter of 2007 and many laps of Rutland water it was of to Paris. The weather forecast was snow inbound with a temperature of 2 deg. After spending a cold day in Paris eating tonnes of Pasta and frogs legs it was time for the race to begin. 
 

Despite the madness and chaos of French organisation I some how made it to the start line, about 20 000 people behind where I was meant to start. I then had to try and pass each one of these, to keep my running pace going but unfortunately slowed me down considerably, so instead of doing 26 miles I actually ran around 28. Despite a cold start the sun came out and around 35000 runners enjoyed a pleasant 26.2 mile jog through the streets of Paris wearing just vest and shorts, the snow stayed away until the end of the race.  I completed the race in a time of 3 hrs 42 mins with an overall finish position of 10226 and an age group finish of 4408. It was then rest in readiness for the next challenge.

The traditional time for completing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks course is twelve hours, the route is involves 26 miles across rugged country and the climbing of 1,600 metres. The run started with the immediate accent of Pen-y-ghent, once the summit was reached it was a 13 mile run to the base of Wherneside across boggy marsh land which drains every last ounce of energy out of your legs. The railway bridge can be seen for miles but it never seems to get any closer. The bridge was a good point to refuel the body and meet with my back up team. A straight climb up (694 metres - 2,276 feet) to the top of Whernside completed the second peak, the trig point at the top offered excellent views across the Lake District (despite the snow drifts).

After another quick rest stop at one of the pubs with the back up team I took in the final accent of Ingleborough (723 metres  2,372 feet. Unfortunately this is the steepest and I felt every one of the 723 metres to the top. This stretch has acquired the name of the Devil’s staircase and I can understand why.

With burning thighs and calf’s the final summit was reached, the snow was beginning to fall so with no time for holiday photographs it was time to complete the final 5 miles down hill back into Horton in Ribblesdale in a time of 6 hours 30 minutes.