Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Eccentric Everest summiteer Sir Ranulph Fiennes was hospitalised yesterday when he crashed his car after taking part in a night-time mountain marathon.

The explorer, who is 66 today, hit two cars travelling in the opposite direction in Stockport, Greater Manchester just before 2pm yesterday. Sir Ranulph’s Jaguar hit a Nissan Micra and then a Ford Focus.

The driver of the Micra suffered leg injuries that are described by police as non-life-threatening and was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital. Sir Ranulph was not seriously hurt.

He had been taking part in the High Peak Marathon, a 68km (42-mile) night navigation endurance race with three other members of his Poles Apart team. They finished the event in 23rd place in a time of 12hrs 22mins.

The event starts and finishes at Edale and is organised by the University of Sheffield High Peak Club. The organisers state: “The High Peak Marathon can test a competitor’s fitness, endurance and navigational skill to their limit. The route is at least 40 miles long and for much of its distance the terrain is pathless peat bog.

“The dark, lack of sleep and winter weather add to the challenge. It has snowed in four of the last 10 events. All entrants should therefore be certain that they have fitness and mountain experience required to make a safe passage.”

Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes reached the summit of Everest at his third attempt in May last year – the oldest Briton to do so. He also took part in seven marathons on seven continents in seven days and conquered the north face of the Eiger, despite having vertigo and having had a heart bypass.