A mother of twin girls from Hythe, Hampshire, has shattered the women's record for the Three Peaks Challenge, completing the gruelling feat entirely on foot. Trish Patterson, 41, scaled Scotland's Ben Nevis, England's Scafell Pike, and Wales' Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), running the 425 miles between the peaks, in an astonishing five days and 21 hours.
Patterson's monumental effort saw her cover more than 10,000 metres in elevation gain, significantly surpassing the previous women's record of six days, five hours, and 43 minutes. The challenge was undertaken to raise vital funds for Mind Over Mountains, a mental health charity, in memory of a close friend who recently passed away.
Reflecting on her achievement, Patterson highlighted the importance of connection and community. "Running is a great way to connect with people and I really enjoyed that whole process," she stated, expressing hope that her challenge would underscore the value of human connection. She also acknowledged the intense physical and mental toll, admitting that sleep deprivation was a major factor, with only 90 minutes of sleep each night.
A member of Hadley Runners Club, Patterson received extensive support from a dedicated team of friends and family throughout the trek. She also found motivation in the unexpected encounters along the route, where members of the public offered encouragement and even ice lollies. "It was a huge boost to see those people and to make those connections, so I really enjoyed it," she added.
Having completed the challenge, Patterson now plans to take a well-deserved break. She humorously mentioned her intention to return to local park runs, where she expects to be "beat by small children and pensioners," indicating a desire for less intense running in the immediate future.