TWO construction experts from tree top adventure company Go Ape have taken part in The Three Peaks Yacht Race to raise funds for charity partner the Outward Bound Trust.

Paul Love-Williams, head of construction, and Ed Smith, a construction manager with the Wyre Forest company took part in the mammoth challenge which combined 389 miles of sailing, 72 miles of running and 18 miles of cycling. Mr Love-Williams. who is from Bewdley, and Mr Smith of Stoke Prior, near Bromsgrove, competed alongside colleagues from the Go Ape tribe from across the UK.

Held annually since 1977, the original 3PYR is one of the oldest, longest and toughest multi-sport endurance races in the world. It draws competitors from all sporting backgrounds and with sailing experience from off-shore cruising to round-the-world races. Sailing and sports clubs, military and corporate teams all entered and competed on equal terms.

Mr Love-Williams said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to have completed the race, in the face of some really adverse weather conditions both at sea and on land, as well as severe engine failure along the way. It was a true test of endurance and there was definitely no escaping the elements in the rough seas including gale force winds up to a speed of almost 40 knots.”

Mr Smith added: "We came 7th place in the race which is an amazing achievement for our fairly novice team, competing against some of the best in the world. It’s amazing what obstacles you can overcome when working as a team, including surviving on only an hour’s sleep each day, which in isolation would have been horrendous, but as part of an endurance team was possible.”

The classic adventure race for teams of runners and sailors saw competitors battling the elements as they sailed up the UK’s coast. The endurance test started in Barmouth and finished in Fort William, and included running to the summits of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, the highest peaks of Wales, England and Scotland, along the way. There was also some cycling involved in travelling to each peak.