Victoria Wilkinson holds the women's record for the race. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Organisers of a historic endurance race in the Yorkshire Dales have put back the postponed event’s date by a further fortnight.

The Three Peaks Race will now take place on Saturday 9 October.

The race committee had postponed the ‘marathon with mountains’ from its normal April date to September.

But continuing uncertainty surrounding coronavirus regulations has led to a further move of its date.

Organisers said: “Unfortunately, due to the ongoing situation with the Covid-19 virus the Three Peaks Race committee have taken the decision to reschedule the 2021 Three Peaks Race.

“Due to staffing availability we now hope to run the race on Saturday 9 October 2021.

“We continue to monitor all government guidance and will review again in May.

“The decision has not been made lightly, but to put on this event we have to think about the safety of all the people of Horton in Ribblesdale, marshals, first-aiders, [the Cave Rescue Organisation], Raynet, our committee members and all the competitors and supporters.”

The committee said runners with existing entries will have their place carried over to the new date. Those unable to compete on that day will be eligible to use their place for the 2022 event, due to take place in April next year. Refunds, minus a small administration fee, are also being offered to those unable to take part.

The Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross Race, over a slightly longer route starting at Helwith Bridge, is still provisionally scheduled for Sunday 26 September.

The Three Peaks Race, first held in 1954, has its start and finish on the playing field in Horton in Ribblesdale, in North Yorkshire. Up to 1,000 entrants register in a large marquee before a mass start takes runners over a 37.4km (23.3-mile) route over the summits of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. They return for a prizegiving and meal in the marquee.

The race record over the current course is held by Andy Peace of Bingley Harriers, who set a time of 2hrs 46mins 3secs in 1996. That record has not been broken even though the Three Peaks hosted the World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge in 2008. Bonus prizes of £1,000 are on offer to male and female record breakers.

The women’s record is held by another Bingley Harrier and England international, Victoria Wilkinson, who recorded 3hrs 9mins 19secs in 2017. She knocked five minutes off the time set by the Czech Republic runner Anna Pichrtova at the World Long Distance event in 2008.

Until 2020, the race had only been cancelled once, due to the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Organisers said the event costs £40,000 to stage.

More details are on the Three Peaks Race website.