FELL racing royalty, Ted Mason sped round the charity fundraiser Wharfedale Three Peaks challenge - covering the 22 miles in at under three hours, and knocking a whopping 14 minutes off the previous record, which had been held since 2015.

Ted, who hails from Appletreewick, and is a former pupil of Burnsall School and Upper Wharfedale School, took up running at ten years old, and won his first major race in 1999, the Hawkswick Dash.

He is a member of the Wharfedale Harriers, the British Open Fell Runners Association (BOFRA) and the Fell Runners Association.

He has been BOFRA champion twice, and is a former winner of the Burnsall Classic, one of the oldest fell races in the country, and in the same year, won the crag race at Kilnsey Show.

And, his latest triumph was the annual fundraiser of the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA).

This year's event, held for the fifth time, was once again based in Kettlewell, with three different routes for people to chose from.

It was also attended by several members of the Sheffield University Speleology Society, who were helped to safety by members of the fell rescue team after they became trapped in Providence Pot, above Kettlewell earlier this year - a rescue that involved other fell rescue teams, including the Clapham based, Cave Rescue Organisation, and one of the most complex experienced for several years.

The longest route, of 22 miles, took in Birks Fell, Buckden Pike and Great Whernside; a 13.5 mile route, taking in Buckden Pike and Great Whernside, and a family saunter, along the River Wharfe, and taking in part of the Dales Way and Paradise Walk.

This year's event, held in glorious sunshine, and with no injuries, saw a record 334 runners and walkers take part, together raising another record, more than £6,500.

Nigel Easton , the team’s leader for the event was delighted with its success.

"This is our fifth Wharfedale Three Peaks Challenge, and while it takes a lot of man hours to prepare, every one has been so enjoyable not just for the participants but for all the team.

"We feel it is now so well established as a calendar date for the Dales and we would like to thank all the participants for their tremendous support and look forward to seeing many of them again next year."

Organisers say the event, which is already recognised by the Long Distance Walking Association, saw a record number of running clubs taking part, and are hopeful more will return next year.

Also at the event was a mountain rescue new Landrover Discovery - on temporary loan to the team, and due to be handed over to another rescue team the very next day.

The purpose built vehicle complete with mountain rescue livery was thanks to Prince William, patron of Mountain Rescue England and Wales , who had secured the vehicle for a year from Land Rover.

Ted Mason was first in the 22 mile race, in a time of two hours, 59 minutes, and 58 seconds; second man was Robert Shaw, in three hours, 30 minutes and 34 seconds, and third place was Tim Chadwick, in three hours, 34 minutes and 17 seconds.

In the women's race, first was Heather Tuffs, in three hours, 50 minutes and 11 seconds; second was Jeanette Vincent in three hours, 52 minutes and five seconds, and third was Rachel Ross Russell in four hours, four minutes and 48 seconds.