Relay Race

2027 Race Overview

  • Run in parallel with the main Three Peaks Race over the same course and covered by the same rules

  • Start Time – 10.30am

  • 3 Legs for Teams of 6 with 2 runners per leg

  • Each runner has an individual Si-Card and complete teams must be present at registration

  • Race in pairs in close contact and must dib within 30 seconds of their partner at each checkpoint

  • Entry Fee £TBA per team

  • Mini bus transport from Horton to and from the leg change over points at Ribblehead and Chapel le dale

  • Classes: Women (any age category) Open (any mix of male or female any age category) Mixed (3 male and 3 female any age per team - free choice on pairings)

  • Limited to 50 teams and no more than 2 teams per club

  • On line Entries will open October 2026 - links to enter will be at the bottom of this page

  • Leg 1
    Horton Start to Ribblehead via PYG Summit, distance 19.4km, ascent 660m (equivalent to FRA Category BM). 
    Mass start from Ribblehead at 12:50 (2hrs 20min from start time) to match cut off for main race

  • Leg 2
    Ribblehead to Chapel-le-Dale via Whernside Summit, distance 8.4km, ascent 470m (equivalent to FRA Category AS).
    Mass start from Chapel-le-Dale at 14:10 (3hrs 40min from start time) to match cut off for main race

  • Leg 3
    Chapel-le-Dale to Horton via Ingleborough Summit, distance 11.2km, ascent 466m (equivalent to FRA Category BM).

    Cut Off Times

    Competitors for Legs 1 and 2 must confirm that they are able to meet the cut off times for Leg1 at Ribblehead (19.4km and 660m ascent) at 12:50pm (2hrs 20mins from Race start time and Leg 2 at Chapel-le-dale (8.4km and 470m ascent - from Ribblehead) at 14:10pm (3hrs 40mins.from Race start time)

    Race Operation

    10:15am All runners need to join the Race Briefing and kit check

    10:20am Leg 1 runners need to join the main race start line up

    10:30am the race will start - late starts are not allowed.

    Approx. 10:45am Bus boarding for Leg 2 (Whernside) Relay Runners from Horton Playing Fields top car park. Please listen out for bus departure updates as times are subject to change

    Approx. 11:45am Bus boarding for Leg 3 (Ingleborough) Relay Runners from Horton Playing Fields top car park. Please listen out for bus departure updates as times are subject to change

    Approx. 12:30pm Minibuses then depart from Ribblehead and Hill Inn on demand. Please follow marshal’s instructions on where to wait and board the transport.

    Race Timing

    At the summits the Relay runners dib the same timing control boxes as the main race

    At Ribblehead and Philpin Lane (Chapel le Dale) changeovers the incoming runners will be diverted to the transition area where they both dib in the Leg End control box then tag the outgoing team members. Outgoing competitors then both dib the separate Leg Start control boxes and start their legs.
    Incoming runners then punch (under no time pressure) the stopped (retirement) control, in the same way as main competitors punch to retire if they are not continuing.

    There will be a mass start for any teams where the previous leg runners have not arrived by the cut off times of 12:50 at Ribblehead and 14:10 at Philpin Lane (Chapel le Dale)

    At the finish, the leg 3 Relay runners dib in the same finish control stations as the runners in the Main Race.

    Leg 1 and Leg 2 runners returning to Horton on the minibuses will be met on arrival at the pavilion car park and their dibbers will be collected as they get off (as per main race these will be returned to race control in batches to be dibbed in the final control box). This confirms your return to Horton and you are free to enjoy the food and drink in main marquee.

    Incoming Team Arrival Alerts

    This year marshals will provide early warning of team arrivals in conjunction with Raynet radio operators. Please ensure that you give them your team number as you pass.

    For Ribblehead these will be at the end of the lane from Lodge Hall as it joins the B6479 Gauber Lane (SD 77723 78090) we will also announce the team arrival over the P.A. system as they approach the commentary position.

    For Philpin Lane (Chapel le Dale) these will be at Bruntscar as you turn left on to the tarmac road of Philpin Lane (SD 73889 79033) and as you approach the cattle grid just before the checkpoint. In the event of bad weather, we may use the minibuses in the Hill Inn Car Park to provide additional shelter so please ensure the incoming teams use the alert system so you have plenty of time to head over to the check point.

    Kit Check

    Kit Checks for Leg1 runners will be at the start along with the main race, for Leg2 and Leg3 runners it will be performed in the transition areas. Please ensure you have the required kit and take all your belongings with you when returning to Horton in the minibuses. We do not have left luggage facilities at the check points.

    As always please follow instructions from Marshals (failure to do so may lead to disqualification).

    Entry Qualification

  • This event, the Three Peaks Race (of Yorkshire) Relay, requires a combination of speed and stamina to achieve the cut-off times and complete the course under race conditions.

  • It is advised all entrants should familiarise themselves with the course and MUST have completed at least one event within the last two years as follows:
    Leg1: Fell Runners Association (FRA) event (BM category) OR off-road race of at least 19km distance with 660m of actual ascent, within the last two years.
    Leg2: Fell Runners Association (FRA) event (AS category) OR off-road race of at least 8.4km distance with 470m of actual ascent, within the last two years.
    Leg3: Fell Runners Association (FRA) event (BM category) OR off-road race of at least 11.2km distance with 470m of actual ascent, within the last two years.

    We want you to have an enjoyable, safe and satisfying day at our race but the course, cut-off times, distance and exposure on the summits, not to mention the changeable weather conditions, must be part of your considerations before entering.

    Above all, REMEMBER, in the interests of safety, it is the responsibility of you, the entrants, to be confident of your experience and capability before entering.

    PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING AND CONFIRM YOUR AGREEMENT BEFORE YOU MAKE AN ENTRY

  • We understand and accept the hazards inherent in fell and trail running and acknowledge that we are entering and taking part at our own risk.

  • We confirm that we are aware of the rules imposed on us by the Race Organiser and the FRA and that we will comply with them. We confirm that we have read and will comply with the FRA “Requirements for Runners” (the Runners Rules)

  • We understand, acknowledge and agree that we are responsible for determining whether we have the skills, experience, equipment and fitness to participate in this event

  • We accept that neither the Three Peaks Race Association nor the Fell Runners’ Association shall be liable to us for any injury, loss or damage of any nature to us or our property arising out of our participation in this race (other than in respect of death or personal injury as result of negligence).

  • We consent to publication of our names, club, race category, race number, finishing time and race position in race pre-entry and results lists.

  • We confirm we all have fell and trail running experience having COMPLETED, within the last two years of this entry date, at least one FRA event or off-road race that meets the qualification requirement for each leg.

    Entry

    Entries will open in October 2026

Search this site by entering your text below: