Valley’s Karl scales the peaks in a record time

‘Karlos the Jackal’, as he is know among elite runners, covered the 23.5 miles in the Dales in 2hrs 59mins 50 secs.

He was beaten only by Joe Symonds of Kendal and Carl Bell of Keswick.

Starting from Horton-in-Ribblesdale, last year’s winner Symonds was first to the summit of Pen-y-ghent, just before the four mile mark.

His Salomon International teammate Tofol Castanyer of Spain was next with Andrew Fallas of Carnethy, Bell, Adam Osborne of Leeds and Rob Jebb of Bingley the only others to get there inside 30 minutes.

Gray was ninth with Oli Johnson of Dark Peak and fell running legend Ian Holmes of Bingley just in front.

After a mile descent there is a fast four and half mile section to Ribblehead. At that point Symonds led by 78 seconds from Bell and Castanyer with Gray still ninth.

Symonds extended his lead on the boggy stretch to the foot of Whernside and to the peak at 2,374 feet with Fallas and Jebb his nearest pursuers.

Gray took a more leisurely climb but moved up to eighth.

The descent to Hill Inn is Gray’s forte and his time of 16.05 for this section was by far the quickest of the day.

After 16 miles Symonds was four minutes clear while Jebb had a 44 second lead over the resurgent Tofol, who was just 14 seconds ahead of Gray.

A tough section to the base of Ingleborough is followed by the final climb. Symonds reached the top five minutes ahead with Gray up to fifth.

On the final downhill dash of four miles back to Horton, Symonds had first place in the bag, barring disasters.

Bell and Gray proved themselves the best descenders to overhaul Jebb andFallas to take second and third with six seconds between them.

Jasmin Paris won the women’s race in 3.33.04 while the team prizes went to Dark Peak men and Carnethy ladies.

Gray, Alex Whittem, Andy Thorpe and Graeme Brown earned Valley second place .

Numberous Valley runners were among the 672 to complete, including the injured Kate Mansell.

Also on Saturday, Linda Murgatroyd, Simon Bourne, Chris Mawdsley, Kevin Hoult and Martin Huddleston completed the 62-mile Fellsman event, which takes in parts of the Three Peaks.

There is a fell running feast over the bank holiday weekend with Valley’s Coiners event with junior races on Monday.

Calder Valley Fell Runners’ Three Peaks times: K.Gray 02:59:50, A.Whittem 03:26:38, A.Thorpe 03:35:57, G.Brown 03:40:10, M.Goldie 03:50:26, R.Paradise 03:53:47, I.Symington 03:59:38, A.Sharp 04:12;40, C.Standish 04:18:00, M.Wharton 04:20:38, S.Grimley 04:33:16, M.Mason 04:46:58, H.Buchan and K.Mansell 04:52:05, A.Thorpe 04:56:45, A.Greenwood 04:58:47, L.Marix Evans 05:03:17, M.Dean 05:03:51, M.Patel 05:27:49.