The challenge of climbing the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales has inspired walkers and runners for decades including the likes of Eric Beard (who ran the whole way in 10 days 12 hour and 15 minutes in May 1969) and Joss Naylor who completed the three tops in 11 hour 54 minutes. However, it has not been without controversy.  During the 1960's and 1970's a series of motorised record attempts, where fast driving as much as athletic ability could determine the outcome, attracted widespread criticism.  More recently its popularity as a charity walk has caused problems, particularly in the Lake District, and generated further adverse publicity. Nevertheless many runners still regard it as a classic mountain challenge if undertaken responsibly.

 Although not strictly an ultra 'The Two 3's' provides runners with a more challenging and perhaps inspiring variation to the standard British tops of Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon by incorporating a round of the Yorkshire three peaks of Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside. The object is still to complete all the six peaks inside 24 hours but to ensure safe driving standards a minimum of 10 hours 15 minutes driving time is stipulated. Starting and finishing at sea-level in Fort William and Caernarfon respectively it involves over 40 miles of intermittent running plus some 14,000 feet of climbing and descending. 

The route was conceived by Andrew Brooke and first completed by his father Colin Brooke along with Tony Wimbush in 22 hours 25 minutes on 16/17 July 2000. At the time it was launched as a mountain challenge aimed at v 50's but is now open to anyone of any age.

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Route