The Three Peaks challenge involved 52 teams, climbing the three highest mountains in Britain in under 24 hours.

A team of five Police officers from South Wales Transport Police took on the monster challenge and decided to raise funds for The Joshua Foundation.

The team started at the base of Ben Nevis at exactly 6:09pm on Sunday evening and headed for the top. As they ascended the mountain, the cloud lifted and the team had spectacular views across the highlands. Although there was no time to stop and admire the views!! Once at the summit (which is 4406ft) the team had time for a quick photo, registered with the race marshal and then it was back down, running!! (Ben Nevis times –up and back 3hours 40 minutes).

Next the team had a six hour drive south to Scafell in the Lake District. They arrived at the race check in at about 3:45 am on the Monday morning rather tired and aching slightly. Scafell at 3210ft high was the smallest of the mountains but one of the toughest on the legs as the paths are quite rough. The team set off just after 4am towards the top. Although it wasn’t raining the morning mist made it quite damp however, once at 2500ft the sun started to appear from behind the mountain which was quite a spectacular sight. Again once checked In with the race marshal at the top the team made their decent (although most of it was on their backsides)!! Scafell times- up and back 2hours and 47 minutes.

Once back at the minibus at bout 7am the team were off again two down one to go!! Their legs were really starting to feel it by now and they still had to get up and down Snowden!

During the five hour journey towards Snowden attempts to get some sleep proved quite futile for some of the team especially for Gary, who managed about half an hour during the whole event. They got to Snowden at just before midday on Monday and waited for the start which was 12:01pm. The Last Mountain!! A really nice feeling for the team however they knew they only had two hours to get to the top (3560ft). And it was very hot indeed.

1hour and 32minutes later they were there!!! At the top and the finish, what a great feeling…the team had done it and by their time it was under 20 hours although they had to wait for the official time back at the car park. Time for a little celebration and a photo!! With warm champagne but none of them really cared by that point.

All they had to do then was walk the 5 miles back to the car park!!

Highs of the challenge for the team were completing the event in under 20hours, the views from the top of all of the mountains and knowing we were doing it so someone else would be able to have a fantastic holiday or experience.

Lows for the team were struggling to walk after finishing Snowdon and not feeling too well after dehydrating near the bottom of Ben Nevis (Gary) due to the heat) poor thing!

The team anticipate that they have raised in excess of £1500.00 for the Joshua Foundation which will help us to continue making the lives of children with terminal cancer an experience.

The team are already talking about next year (they must be mad)!!