Basically, the event comprises three consecutive days of full-on racing beginning with a six mile fell race on Friday followed by a trail half marathon on Saturday, and then a 7 mile pure road race on Sunday. Runners who take on all three stages of the event essentially run the distance of a full marathon over the course of the three days.
Of course, it's arguably harder than a pure marathon as racing on tired legs and with a broken body that is screaming for a rest is hard enough, but when you consider how each stage is designed to tax different muscle groups and energy systems, the true horror of just how tough it is starts to dawn...
Steve is no stranger to doing it tough, though, and has all sorts of mental techniques at his disposal - earned through years of experience of doing events like this - to help defeat the incessant pain and grind. Not only did he complete all three stages, but managed to finish well up the field in the fell race section making time with a super-fast descent of some genuinely ankle-snapping terrain (pic). The eyes give away the fact that you have to be able to think the pain away...
