The Three Peaks 2008 – Thanks

What a tremendous event – I enjoyed the whole week – marking out on Wednesday, marshalling on race day and watching the finish. Firstly, I think we owe such a lot to Alistair Patten and Don Barton’s Wednesday walking group who marshall the section from Pen-y-Ghent shooting hut through to Sell Gill every year.

To my group who marked and marshalled from Sell Gill to God’s Bridge (thanks to Doug Mc Callum who pointed out it was a bridge – see photos on website). The marking team of Colin Shuttleworth (who ran the race), Geoff Laycock (who might run the race next year), and Doug McCallum (who won’t run the race under any circumstances).

On race day we needed a minimum of eight, but didn’t need to worry – Geoff Smith (arm in plaster after falling off a stile on Fiendsdale), Geoff and Mary Laycock plus Jackie Green (the group who got the prize for most talking); mountain bikers Alec Macauley, Ronnie Orr and Tony Aspin, plus Phil Thornber on foot. Dave (not sure which leg to limp on) Mashiter; Bob Hirst who had a serious interest in the birds (not sure which kind!), Doug Munroe and Karin Goss, who since the Lytham 10 mile preferred to run back on the road; Doug McCallum who had a whale of a time watching people sink into knee deep mud and loose shoes, whilst they could have gone a few feet wider and kept dry feet. Last but not least Richard Bellaries and Pete Browning, the sweepers who had to go for a run afterwards to get warm.

The team were more than pleasantly amazed by the number of runners who thanked us for marshalling – it really made you feel it was worthwhile. It was great to see all the Clayton runners taking part and back on the finish field meeting several members from the past. And, finally I think Dave Weatherhead did a tremendous job as course director.

Paul Healey