The Three Peaks Race, often called the 'marathon with mountains', is the longest standing 'long' fell race in the UK. At a length of over 23 miles, and with over 5,000 feet of ascent, it is an iconic part of the fell and mountain running calendar. From a field of just 6 entrants in 1954 it has grown to the point that there are entry requirements to be met, and it now attracts up to 1,000 entries each year. This is a history of the event from its early foundations, through two cancellations (once due to foot and mouth and once Covid), encompassing being chosen as the venue for the World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge and lately being nominated as a qualifying race for UTMB World Series. The Three Peaks Race is THE mountain race that UK runners, at all levels, want to compete in, in a similar way that marathon runners want to run in the London Marathon. Some want to do it just the once, others strive to do it enough times get the 15/21 completions award, and a crazy few keep