Three Peaks Race: The Marathon With Mountains

The iconic Three Peaks Race returns on Saturday 25 April 2026 for its 71st edition with more than 1,000 runners preparing to take on the legendary Yorkshire route either in the individual or relay event.

What is the Three Peaks Race?

The Three Peaks Race is a long-distance fell running race that takes place in Northern England. Competitors cover a course of 24.2 miles (39 km) with around 5,200 ft (1,600 metres) of ascent.

The route links three of the highest and most iconic peaks in the Yorkshire Dales:

Pen-y-ghent - 2,227ft (694 metres)
Whernside – 2,415ft (736 metres)
Ingleborough – 2,372ft (723 metres)

Runners start and finish in the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, tackling a gruelling loop that combines steep climbs, fast descents and a mix of terrain. Although roughly two miles short of marathon distance, the race carries the nickname ‘the marathon with mountains.’

The race is not to be confused with The Yorkshire Three Peaks hiking challenge. This follows a similar route to the race, linking up the same three mountains. It is estimated that around 100,000 people per year undertake this challenge.

Clovis Chaverot beginning the Whernside climb

Clovis Chaverot begins the Whernside climb, with Ribblehead Viaduct in the background

A Brief History

The origins of the Three Peaks Race date back to the mid-20th century, though the challenge of linking the three peaks is older still. The modern race began in 1954, starting in Chapel-le-Dale with six runners and three finishers. Fred Bagley, of Preston Harriers, won in 3hrs 48 mins.

It grew in popularity until 251 runners competed in the last race from Chapel-le-Dale in 1974. By then it had outgrown available space and was moved to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, it’s current home. The record circuit from Chapel-le-Dale was 2hrs 29mins 53secs by Jeff Norman, of Altrincham and District A.C, in 1974. This remains the fastest recorded traverse of the Three Peaks, but the current course is longer.

Ladies competed for the first time in 1979 with Jean Lochhead, of Airedale and Spen Valley, winning in 3hrs 43mins 12secs.

Nichola Jackson on the Three Peaks Course

A focused Nichola pushing the pace at the 2025 Three Peaks Race

Following a tragedy in severe weather conditions in 1978, when Ted Pepper, of Blackheath Harriers, died, revised safety regulations and race control procedures were applied, and minimum experience qualifications were imposed on all entrants.

There were further changes when the World Mountain Running Association invited the Three Peaks to host its race in 2008. Race day changed from Sunday to Saturday. Organisation was upgraded and online entry was introduced with 1,000 runners permitted to take part.

We (INOV8) have been the lead sponsors of the race since 2016. During that time the popularity of the race has continued to grow while, at the same time, the event has successfully maintained its traditional character, which is steeped in fell running history and Yorkshire Dales culture.

In 2025 race organisers added an additional relay race to be run alongside the main individual race. Teams consisting of six runners split across three legs with two runners per leg. The first winners were Wharfedale Harriers A in a time of 3hrs 06mins 53secs.

Course Records

In 2023 the course had to be changed to manage land use and improve runner safety. It now includes an extended section around High Birkwith Moor, using the Pennine Way to Old Ing Farm. This adds roughly 0.6 miles (1 km) to the course.

The course records on the new course stand at:

Men – Thomas Roach, 2hrs 53mins 28secs
Women – Holly Wootten, 3hrs 34mins 36secs

Prior to the course change in 2023, the records were held by Andy Peace (2hrs 46mins 03secs in 1996) and Victoria Wilkinson (3hrs 09mins 19secs in 2017).

2025 Three Peaks Race

The race celebrated its 70th edition in 2025 with more than 600 individual runners completing its gruelling course. Stars of the show were Ben Rothery (3hrs 00mins 00secs) and Nichola Jackson (3hrs 45mins 55secs), who won the men’s and women’s races respectively.

The women’s race was a titanic battle, with INOV8 athlete Nichola brilliantly overhauling a three-minute deficit from the last summit to the finish, passing both Laury Eloy and Victoria Wilkinson to claim a first Three Peaks Race victory.

Nichola said: “I was really struggling going up Ingleborough and fell back to third. My dad was there and had some Coca-Cola. I knew it would either kill or cure me. I was either going to be sick, or it would be just what I needed. Thankfully it worked.

“That along with – I’m not going to call it abuse – but him shouting at me, really helped. I was able to rally and catch the runners in front of me.

“It’s not the most technical descent off Ingleborough, but it is a long one, so I knew I had to bide my time. Once I went past, I had to keep going. I couldn’t let them come back. It was tight, but I didn’t want it to be a sprint finish – that would have been even more painful.

“I was so happy to cross the finish line and win. It was brilliant to have my parents and my partner Billy here to support me. My mum and dad have been coming to every race since I started running, when I was about eight years old, so I think this win means as much to them as it does to me.”

Read our full report from the 2025 Three Peaks Race.

Clovis Chaverot and Yannick Noel on the Three Peaks Course

Clovis Chaverot and Yannick Noel descend off Pen-y-ghent, with other runners making their way up

2026 Three Peaks Race Preview

The 71st Three Peaks Race will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, starting at 10:30am in Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

Both the individual race and relay race are full, with entries having been filled many months in advance. There are 1,016 runners on the individual race start list and 50 teams on the relay race start list.

As always, the individual race will be hotly contested by many of top fell and trail runners, including former winners and those hoping to add their names to one of sport’s most famous rolls of honour.

This year’s prizes will be presented by Andy Peace, 30 years after he ran that incredible record time for the old course.