Hundreds brave the elements in tough off-road race in the Peaks

Experienced runner Andy Greenleaf, 32, saw off a high quality field over 21 miles of gruelling fells and hills to contest the final leg of the race.

Competitors faced a varied terrain - through forests, over fells and across fields - and against the clock to make the cut at every knockout stage.

There are three points around the course that cuts a portion of the field, leaving only the fastest runners to contest the last leg to the finish.

Greenleaf, from London, was the quickest of the runners, reaching the finish in a time of two hours and thirty-seven minutes to take the crown.

He was, however, around two minutes behind last year’s winner, Andi Jones, who made it round in two hours and thirty-five minutes.

Greenleaf said afterwards: “I’m shattered but Red Bull Steeplechase was really, really good fun and the whole way through there was a competition going on and it was only towards the end of the race that I started to pull away from the guy who came second. It was a cracking course and a perfect day for it.”

Emily Collinge, 26, from Mansfield was the first woman back and fourth overall.

“It was a beautiful run, it was cool. But I had no idea how I would do. I was very nervous. In the end, the conditions were perfect and I was really happy with my time,“ she said.

Adventure Racing World Champion and Red Bull Steeplechase Race director Nick Gracie praised the runners’ efforts.

“We had a really competitive field. Emily, the winner of the women’s race really smashed it, she was fourth overall today, which was really impressive against some of the top guys.”