Jeff Pyrah came third in the 21-mile Red Bull Steeplechase in the Peak District and was one of only 40 gallant competitors to pass the final church steeple. Pyrah said: “It was brilliant! I used to live in the area, the scenery is beautiful so I came back to do the race. It was really hard work, but great fun!” A select group of over 300 runners was given the opportunity to take part in the unique and challenging race which followed a difficult and often treacherous route across four stages with an overall height gain of over 1,400 metres. Each competitor ran from church steeple to church steeple across the picturesque backdrop of the Peak District’s fields, woods and trails. The Red Bull twist to the competition meant that runners battled to stay ahead of the pack to prevent being cut from the race at the end of each stage, with the slowest 280 competitors being knocked out and unable to complete the course. Nick Gracie, adventure racing world champion and Red Bull Steeplechase race director, said: “To make it into the final 40 runners is a testament not only to Jeff’s talent, but also to his spirit and determination.”