Running The Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge
Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge 27th July 2025
What a day. 24 miles. 3 summits. Endless grit and plenty of laughs. Watch our full adventure across Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – the highs, the struggles, and the camaraderie that pulled us through.
This wasn’t just about finishing. It was about showing up, pushing past limits, and doing it all as a team. Whether you’re training for your own challenge, fundraising, or just love the outdoors – this one’s for you.
The Three Peaks Signpost
Whernside - 736 metres
Whernside took 2.5 hours as expected, with a run on the flat sections past the farms before a strong march up the hill, which felt like a steeper gradient than any of the national 3 peaks. There weren’t a lot of people on the hill. I counted 6 runners and 20 walkers, so it felt like I had it to myself. Rather than carry everything with me, I planned on meeting up with Sarah Sharp and Hannah Sharp to take on additional water at Ribblehead by the famous viaduct. Then it was a fairly flat-ish run for 10km to Pen-y-Ghent.
Atop Whernside
The run went well, seeing plenty of sheep and cows in the fields. Saying hello to fellow walkers and runners, plus the farmers as they passed on the quad bikes, this took about 2 hours. Some of the boggy sections that the path goes over were like walking on the skin of a giant rice pudding; the ground bounced and wobbled underfoot.
Pen-y-Ghent - 694 metres
This was another steep hike up to the summit, with the final few hundred meters on a stairway that seemed to end in the sky. The descent was more fun; I’d forgotten about the scrambling sections with near-vertical climbs. It was on one of these while trying to give space to a blind walker that I slipped and fell, scraping my knee, and was very grateful for the hand up. Meeting my support team in Horton in Ribblesdale for more liquids and a clean up, I was back to it, 5.5 hours into the challenge with 15km and one more hill to go.
Atop Pen-y-Ghent
Ingleborough - 723 metres
This hill was as breathtaking as always. The run-walk to the base went well, though I could tell I was fatigued, which made the walk up to the summit slower going than I was aiming for. Reaching the top, it was very windy, as it had been on the summit of Whernside and Pen-y-Ghent, so I didn’t stay too long before heading back down the path that was a mixture of steady stone path, near vertical climbs, boardwalk and stone slabs.
Atop Ingleborough
Big Thank Yous
To Sarah and Hannah for all their support and encouragement.
To the Yorkshire Dales National Park authority for all their work maintaining the route, it is really well looked after and in keeping with the surroundings.
To Philpin farm campsite for a great space, lovely greeting and relaxed atmosphere, along with the perfect location
To The Station Inn, Ribblehead, for a fantastic dinner, well received after a good day in the hills
Back To Camp
The final walk back was through the limestone path and more fields of sheep and cows before hitting the road to the campsite. I was very grateful for a warm shower, clean clothes and a bite to eat.
Got questions or fancy taking on your own challenge with us? Reach out here: https://martinsharp.com/contact
