THE Three Peaks Race, one of fell running's premier events, was held for the 49th time on Sunday.

Runners from Clayton-le-Moors took the honours in the men's and ladies' events over the gruelling 24 mile, 4,500 feet course which takes in the summits of Penyghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

David Walker was the race winner in 3 hours 6 minutes 27 seconds, which was well within the elite time classification of 3.10, and set a unique Three Peaks record as his father, Harry, won the event three times in the 70s.

There was also cause for family celebrations as Beverley Whitfield, the second youngest entrant in the race at 23, won the women's event in 3.56.40. Her father, Pete McQuade, won the supervet class for runners over 50 clocking 3.27.59.

Two hundred and thirty five runners set off from Horton-in-Ribblesdale in the rain, but better weather blew in for the latter stages of the event and 205 finished the course.

Local runners with plenty of support from enthusiastic spectators enjoyed a good day with Settle Harriers' trio of Alex Pilkington, John Murfin and Gary Allsopp combining to take second place in the senior men's team class behind Clayton.

Both Pilkington and Murfin, each running in the event for the second time, achieved class one times - under 3.45 - with Pilkington 26th in 3.44.13 and Murfin just 17 seconds behind him in 28th place. Allsopp ran 4.08.06 and finished 70th.

The challenging course was also tackled by fellow Settle Harriers Karen Slater - last year's BOFRA lady champion - who ran 4.18.49, Annie Carrington 4.30.24 and Jan Wulf 5.04.43.

Ian Magee, of Skipton AC, finished 15th and leading local runner in 3.36.26 and clubmate Steven Sayer was 39th in 3.49.50