Glusburn man runs Yorkshire Three Peaks twice in under 12 hours

A GLUSBURN man has achieved the remarkable feat of running the Yorkshire Three Peaks twice in one day.

Michael Kenyon, a soldier in the Parachute Regiment, challenged himself to climb Whernside, Penyghent and Ingleborough twice, a distance of 50 miles with a total ascent of 11,750ft - and in under 12 hours.

His aim was to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK, after his father, Jeffrey Kenyon, was diagnosed with, and overcame, the disease earlier this year.

Michael carried out his run on Saturday, October 26, hours before the clocks went back - and remarkably, finished in a time of 11 hours and 15 minutes - easily within the 12 hours challenge set for people completing a single lap of the three peaks and just ten minutes off the record.

He set off in the dark, was helped along the way by family and friends, and completed his fastest mile right at the end, when he heard his wife, Chloe and two children, were waiting for him.

Michael, who has been in the Army for 18 years, said he felt very good throughout, apart from when he 'hit the wall' on his second climb of Whernside - the highest of the three peaks.

"I started the run at 5am, so I set off in the dark in very foggy conditions, meaning I could only see about six feet in front of me," he said.

"As soon as the sun came up and the fog cleared, the conditions were ideal. The day went very well and I couldn't have done it without the help from my dad, Jeff Kenyon, and my sister, Laura Comber; who were at hand along the route so I could restock my food and water.

"I actually felt really good, apart from when I hit the wall the second time up Whernside; however, there was one constant source of strength, a simple yet powerful mantra that I repeated to myself whenever things got tough. Those five words, 'this is for you, dad' became my driving force, reminding me of the purpose behind my efforts and the person I was doing it for."

He was also joined for part of the route by friends Chris Lopez and Jack Short, and waiting for him at the end were his wife, Chloe and children George and Matilda.

"As soon as I found out Chloe and George and Matilda were at the finish line waiting for me, all the pain went out the window and I managed to set my fastest mile of the day to go see them.

"I also had Chris and Jack to run alongside me on certain parts, which helped me so much and I was very grateful."

He added: "At the end, I was really happy to of beaten my goal of 12 hours, coming in at 11 hour and 15 minutes. But that's when the body decided to stop and all the aches and pains started."

So far, Michael has raised more than £2,200 for Prostate Cancer UK via his Justgiving page. He said: "This year, my father, Jeffrey, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and successfully overcame it. Having accompanied him throughout much of his journey and witnessed the challenges he faced, I felt compelled to undertake a personal challenge to empathise with his experience."

Donations can still be made at: www.justgiving.com/page/michael-kenyon-1722805910939

Matthew Blackburn holds the record for running the Yorkshire Three Peaks twice in a day in a time of 11 hours, four minutes and 57 seconds, achieved in 2020.

Andy Pearce of Bingley Harriers, holds the men's record for running the Yorkshire Three Peaks - just the once - in a time of two hours, 46 minutes and three seconds in 1996; Victoria Wilkinson, also a Bingley Harriers member, holds the women's record, three hours, nine minutes and 19 seconds in 2017.