This tribute to grit, determination and masochism by Yorkshire Television features one of their own young journalists, Roger Greenwood, embarking upon Britain’s most famous fell race in 1976, broadcast on 6th September 1976.  We follow Greenwood as he starts out with just two months preparation, and then joins 364 others over the 23 mile course, with beautiful shots of the runners struggling up of the three peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough and over the Yorkshire moors. Title...

This tribute to grit, determination and masochism by Yorkshire Television features one of their own young journalists, Roger Greenwood, embarking upon Britain’s most famous fell race in 1976, broadcast on 6th September 1976.  We follow Greenwood as he starts out with just two months preparation, and then joins 364 others over the 23 mile course, with beautiful shots of the runners struggling up of the three peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough and over the Yorkshire moors. Title – The Three Peaks Race The film begins in Horton where the race starts.   An organiser is making an announcement.  Roger Greenwood, a journalist with Yorkshire Television mingles with competitors at the start.  The 364 starters collect their numbers ready for the 22 mile race.  The film switches to Greenwood visiting John Humphries at the City of Leeds and Carnegie College to have his fitness assessed.  As part of a new year’s resolution he has decided to run the three peaks race.  He begins with a first run around a track of 1 mile, after which he reports that his lungs are aching.  He begins a process of preparation for the race in 9 weeks’ time.  Humphries opines that he ought to have at least a year’s preparation for a race such as this, though his oxygen uptake (1.9 meters per minute) is at least 15% higher than the average Carnegie student.  But he warns that without adequate preparation it is possible to collapse and even die.  Back at the start of the race and a map is shown of the route and of the checkpoints that must be passed through.  The race gets off, with nine runners over 50.  The elite set a 15 mph pace.  The winner of the last three years, Geoff Norman, is not taking part as he is training to represent GB in the marathon in the Olympic games.  We then see the runners running along with Pen-Y-Ghent behind them, and with aerial shots of the runners making their way around.  At this point Walker of Blackburn Harriers is leading, with most running the long way around, and a few climbing up the steep incline of Pen-Y-Ghent.  Greenwood, against advice, is up with the leading chasing pack.  Having got to the top of the easiest of the three peaks, they run back down towards Ribblehead.  Greenwood is running behind a grey haired man, veteran Mitchell, “old enough to be my dad, there’s no way he’s going to lead me.”  The camera follows the race from above over the moors.  Walker is still in the lead as they pass through Ribblehead.  At this point some are more than an hour behind the leaders, with 11 of the starters dropping out at this point.  Greenwood is struggling with just a third way around.  Then up to Whernside, with two out in front, and with a large number of people on top waiting for them.  Number 318 is particularly struggling coming down Pen-y-Gent.  Then onto Ingleborough at 7 minutes past 1 pm.  Calvert is now in the lead, and the commentary claims that it is “curtains” for his club mate Walker.  The next pack pass through Chapel-le-Dale, almost 30 minutes behind, with one taking some water.  The commentary claims that at this pace they will still qualify for first class certificates.   At 1.30 Calvert has a lead of a minute, and comes in to win at 2 hours, 43 minutes and 59 seconds.  Walker finishes seventh, 4 minutes behind.  Calvert is interviewed at the end.  The stragglers are still 10 miles behind, with Green wood at walking pace.  The first 26 cross the line.  Greenwood battles ahead, remarking as he struggles that he is aching all over.  Mitchell finishes in just over 4 hours.  Greenwood runs to the finishing line, with his mike still attached to his vest, exhausted, hungry and thirsty, finishing in 4 hours 10 minutes, and finishing 281st. Running Commentary – Roger greenwood Helicopter pilots – John Leeson and Dick Dorman Sound recordists – Don Atkinson and Ron Gunn Dubbing Mixer – Terry Cavagin Camera – Mustafa Hammuri, Frank Pocklington, Allan Pyrah Editor – John Leeds Dubbing Editor – Robin McDonell Producer – John Meade Director – Charles Flynn Executive producer – John Wilford Yorkshire Television, Trident Television