GARRY Wilkinson stepped off the plane and straight back into training for this weekend's Three Peaks Race- just seven days after finishing third in one of the toughest races on earth.

The 34-year-old marathon man from Great Harwood couldn't walk for three days after defying the cold to become the first European home in the Everest Marathon.

But the Clayton Harrier won't be putting his feet up for long because he now has his sights set on becoming king of the mountains in the Yorkshire Dales this weekend.

"The Three Peaks should seem easy after this," quipped Wilkinson.

"I've been up at altitude for the last few weeks so that should certainly help me."

After a 17-day trek to the base camp at Jorak Shep, some 17,500ft above sealevel, the 77-strong field began their descent down to Namache Bizarre at 4,500ft.

Wilkinson defied temperatures of 15 degrees below freezing to complete the 26 mile course in a time of 4hrs 38mins.

"Obviously, I'm delighted to be the first European home.

"It's always been my ambition to see Everest and competing in this race gave me the perfect opportunity.

"I suppose I just coped with the altitude a bit better than everyone else."

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