In 1981 snow 6-8 feet deep in Horton meant The Three Peaks Race had to be postponed until October and in 2002 the weather was so bad that 57 runners were treated for hypothermia.

But for the 50th race last Sunday the sun shone and shone and the runners' biggest concern was avoiding sunburn and trying to be caught looking fit and untroubled by the Yorkshire Television cameras filming the event for transmission on May 6.

And of course coping with the small matter of running 24 miles and climbing a total of 4,500 feet over Yorkshire's famous three peaks without being timed out because, despite the carnival atmosphere of the 50th anniversary celebrations, the Three Peaks Race remains a seriously challenging event - and unlike southern events like the London Marathon pantomime horses are not accepted for entry.

The organisers accepted 625 pre-entries, 508 runners reached the start line but only 407 achieved the glory of finishing with 101 runners suffering the indignity of being driven back to base in the mini vans provided by the organisers.

Dave Hodgson, compiler of the excellent 20 page colour booklet on the history of the race (Copies £2 via telephone number below), in introducing proceedings suggested that the day had attracted the most outstanding quality entry in the history of the race.

In addition to celebrating its 50th Anniversary the race also determined the Yorkshire Championship and was a counter for the English Championship. All of which meant the field included many past winners.

It was a past winner who won on Sunday. Bingley's Andy Peace (winner in 1994/95/96) set off at a storming pace and by the top of Pen-y-Ghent was already 22 seconds ahead of club-mate Ian Holmes (winner in 1997) followed by the Borrowdale pair Simon Booth (winner in 2000/2002) and Mark Roberts (winner in 1998).

Although the gap closed to three seconds at the Hill Inn, Peace eventually won in 2.55.46 with Booth finishing in 2.56.38. Holmes was well adrift in 3.02.38 and Roberts was 4th in 3.07.03.

First lady was current English and British Champion Louise Sharp (Keswick) who finished 57th in 3.39.49 as a first time winner ahead of 85th Sharon Taylor (Bingley) in 3.53.30 and 97th Sue Becconsall (Bingley) in 3.58.31.

The ladies race has now had eight different winners in the past nine years in contrast with the period in the late 1980s/early 1990s when Vanessa Peacock, Carol Greenwood and Sarah Rowell were sequential multiple winners.

Ilkley Harriers were in the prizes with Geoff Howard winning the over-60s category and Ilkley having second Ladies Team in Helen Sedgwick, Sally Malir and Nicki Kime.

Harriers results were: 36, Jason Hemsley (first claim P&B) 3h30:15; 60, Geoff Howard 3h41:41; 115, Mike Rhodes 4h02:15; 118, Jon Sage 4h03:29; 120, Jim Ryder 4h04:25; 143, Helen Sedgwick 4h11:34 6th lady; 154, Kirstin Bailey Bingley 4h14:01; 157, Mike Baldwin 4h15:07; 158, Stefan Macina (1st claim P&B) 4h15:19; 186, Sally Malir 4h20:11 11th lady; 198, Nicki Kime4h22:30 12th lady; 205, Ian Marshall 4h24:09; 215, Pete Shields 4h26:18; 216, Jo Foster 4h26:39 16th lady; 277, Dave Cheesewright 4h41:04; 278, Clare Cheesewright 4h41:05; 329, Susie Jollie 4h52:37; 352, Neil Chapman 4h59:46; 364, Peter Sibley 5h02:05; 368, Joyce Marshall 5h03:00

The same day, Graham Pearce had a storming performance in the Ashbourne Duathlon - run 12km, bike 40km, run 4km. Graham was, 29th overall and first 20-24 year old in 2h13:21.

This exceptional performance gained him selection for the GB team at the World Duathlon Championships in Geel, Belgium on 28-30 May. Tim Ashelford also had a good result, 62nd 2h18:34.

In the Rothwell 10k, Andy Wolfenden ran a 20 year best time of 43.25 for 145th place out of 553.

Ilkley Harriers is a friendly club, training from Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club every Tuesday at 7pm. See their web site www.ilkleyharriers.co.uk for more information.

Whilst the drama on the fells was being played out under the scorching sun, VIP guests were relaxing over a celebratory buffet, viewing the two previous video films which have been made about the race which Yorkshire Television had made available or just enjoying the ambience of what everyone agreed had been a wonderful day.

Four Skyrac runners completed the race. For Bob Pritchard and Martin Farrar it was their first peaks race and they finished well in 128th (4.06.28) and 175th (4.17.33) respectively. For Malcolm Coles and Graham Breeze the pleasure of the first time is long gone and they finished in 258th (4.36.43) and 389th (5.16.08).

Otley Athletic Club

Conditions for the London Marathon were cool and overcast, Almost ideal for the runners.

As expected Ian Fisher led the Otley team home, going through 10K in 32.10 and halfway in 68.27 to finish in 2-21.04 for 36th position.

Next for Otley was Julian Mawson running a superbly judged pace, through halfway in 76.20 to finish in 2-33.53 for 108th overall. Close behind in 120th overall was Neil Cayton, halfway in 75.58 and full distance in 2-34.41.

Carl Walsh, in his first London run, had trained carefully through the winter and was on target for 3-15 until 20 miles when slight over-enthusiasm in the early stages took its toll and he slowed to 3-29 - still a very useful time for a first marathon.

The Three Peaks fell race is Yorkshire's answer to the London Marathon and conditions could not have been more different for the 50th running of this famous fell race with hot sunny weather prevailing throughout the day.

There were only two starters for Otley in this year's race and both finished: John Armitstead in 3-58.39 for 97th place and Edward Davies in 4-09.08 for 137th.

Also last Sunday a full entry of 650 perspired their way round the Rothwell 10K. Just seven days after a marathon most runners are pleased if they can walk downstairs forwards without serious discomfort, so Ian Fisher had entered the race just as a post-marathon 'loosener'. He was surprised and delighted to win in 31.17, over a minute in front of second man Andrew Pearson.

Second claim Otley member Jamie Noon was fourth in 33.28, Julian Mawson also recovering well from London, was fifth in 33.40, and in 29th in a time of 37.34 James Cullen completed a winning Otley team.