Mike Davies 1933 -2012

It is with deep regret that we record the passing of one of the true greats of Three Peaks racing. Mike Davies died at the age of 79 from a heart attack early in October.

Mike competed in the Three Peaks Race 12 times, winning 4 times and finishing 3rd twice. His last race was in 1977 when he recorded a time of 3hrs 12 min. His sequence of wins began in 1965 with a period of record breaking which gradually reduced the record ( Hill Inn start) from Peter Hall’s 1964 time of 2hrs 53min to 2hrs 40m 34sec.in 1968.

In addition to his Three Peaks exploits, Mike also won the Ben Nevis race and the Lakeland Mountain Trial three times. He was also involved in the setting up of the Fell Runners Association and was the first Editor of the F.R.A. magazine.

Mike was a member of Reading A.C. who taught at a school in the south of England. Part of his regular training routine was to come up to the Yorkshire Dales during his Easter vacation staying at Youth Hostels. The final touches to his training involved starting at Ribblehead for a full round of the Three Peaks, then climbing Whernside for the second time, to finish at the Hill Inn. He will be remembered as a modest winner, courteous in defeat and a true gentleman of the sport.

Mike also wrote an article describing his win in the 1965 Race from a runners point of view. This is recognised as a masterpiece of mountain running literature, a copy of which is reproduced HERE.

Dave Hodgson