Foreign invaders spice up fell race (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Foreign invaders spice up fell race

2:21pm Tuesday 29th April 2008 in

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The annual Three Peaks fell race, from Horton-in-Ribblesdale, had the added attraction of incorporating this year's World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge.

Competitors from 21 countries as far afield as Australia, Russia and the Americas took part in what is a famous and always demanding challenge.

The foreign invasion added interest because, for example, Bingley's Rob Jebb - winner for the last three years - was relegated to fourth place and the male and female winners were new to the race, Jethro Lennox of Scotland winning in 2hr 53min 39sec.

First woman was Czech mountain-running star Anna Pichrtova, who set a new course record of 3:14:43. Along with Lennox, she collected a £1,000 prize.

Bingley Harriers, Pudsey & Bramley, Skyrac and Pudsey Pacers were all well represented, with Bingley having a turnout of over 30 members.

Three Peaks record-holder Andy Peace was next home after Jebb, in tenth place, ahead of Ian Holmes (23rd) and Robin Lawrence (24th). Sharon Taylor finished 100th overall in 3:34:15.

Pudsey & Bramley had seven top-40 finishers, including Rob Hope (fifth), John Heneghan (12th) and Nicholas Leigh (22nd), while Calder Valley's Karl Gray was seventh.

Pacers runner Dave Burdon (4:42:51) and Rob Kilner (5:27:38) both got round, while Shaun Denham did well after a six-month lay-off to get as far as Chapel-le-Dale.

All six Skyrac runners finished, with Martin Farrar (3:56:23), Robert Pritchard (4:26:08) and Graham Breeze (4:33:10) in the top 500.

Stephen Batley (5:41:56) achieved minor fame by being the last runner home, although that was more than 60 runners could achieve.

• Eccleshill Road Runners were at the Blackpool Half-Marathon and Mick Hogan set another personal best time of 1hr 23min 36sec.
• He finished behind Bingley trio Stew Macdonald (second in 71:44), Tim Midgley (third in 72:11) and John Convery (sixth in 72:44).

• The Sheffield Half-Marathon included a nine-strong Pudsey Pacers contingent.
• Paul Gaile, fresh from an excellent performance at the London Marathon, clocked 1hr 20 min 58sec for 57th position overall, while Dave Digger' Byrom set yet another PB with his 1:40:15.

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