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Peak performers aim to be on top of the world
For the first time, Britain, and Yorkshire, have been selected to host the World Championships of long distance mountain running.
The event annually attracts the best from across the world, to tackle the most demanding ascents and descents in difficult conditions.
Now in its fifth year, the World Championships are coming to the Three Peaks Race in the Yorkshire Dales on Saturday.
In 2007 the championships were held in conjunction with the Jungfrau Marathon in Switzerland and in 2009 they will visit Austria.
Any hosting event must undergo strict inspections and meet the criteria necessary to stage the championships.
The Three Peaks Race, which traverses the infamous and beautiful mountains of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside, is proud to have made the grade.
As one of the oldest and best established mountain races of its kind, the Three Peaks, now in it's 54th year, has always been a sure fire crowd puller.
With typical entries of around 500, the announcement of the World Championships has near on doubled this, with over 350 runners having never entered the Three Peaks before.
Elite runners from over 20 different countries have clambered to get a place, including the world renowned Russian and Norwegian teams.
Event sponsor, Northern Rail has even stumped up the cash to enable an impoverished but talented fell runner from Morrocco to attend.
Local runners such as Rob Jebb, Ian Holmes, Rob Hope, Andy Peace and Mary Wilkinson have also come out in full force to represent the Yorkshire and British contingent.
Indeed, anyone who is anyone in mountain running will be descending on Yorkshire on Saturday to be part of this prestigious event.
It takes a certain type of person to be a long distance mountain runner, one who regards what most others would think a ridiculous and impossible test of physical endurance, as a challenge to be enjoyed.
Their physical and mental strength surpasses that of most athletes with mountain running, or fell running as it is commonly known, combining the tough elements of a marathon distance (24 - 26 miles) with multiple ascents and descents of up to 2500m, often in harsh, wind ridden conditions with very low visibility. It is certainly no walk in the park!
2:41pm Thursday 24th April 2008
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