2025’s Under 23 Open winner and first timer Joel Hurt is back for more in 2026, and makes no secret of eyeing up Rob Jebb’s U23 record of 3:01:08
In another enjoyable chat about this fantastic race, Joel tells me about his prep, about wwhat he learnt in 2025, and all the nuance going into his second attempt.
A pleasure to share some time with someone else who’s clearly been dragged in by this race – and I hope you enjoy watching.
Current 3 Peaks Under-23 champ Joel is setting his sights on an even bigger prize. After putting in a remarkable debut performance of approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes, Joel returns to the iconic course with refined ambition, hard-won experience, and a laser-focused training regime. Equipped with a newly optimized bike setup and crucial tactical lessons from his first attempt, he is determined not only to shave valuable time off his personal record, but to mount a serious challenge against the legendary Under-23 record.
Redefining Physical Preparation
To withstand the punishing, full-body demands of the peaks, Joel has fundamentally overhauled his physical preparation. Recognizing that cycling and running alone are not enough to endure the sheer mechanical strain of the course, he has shifted his focus toward targeted gym work. By placing an emphasis on building core stability, upper body resilience, and lower back strength, he aims to maintain power and posture across every brutal ascent and technical stretch.
While gym work provides the foundation, running remains an essential element of both his training and personal enjoyment. Rather than treating it merely as a discipline for race day, Joel uses running to maintain baseline aerobic conditioning. To prepare his legs specifically for the punishing downhill sections, he regularly competes in short, steep fell races such as Roseberry Topping. These sharp, high-intensity descents provide the exact leg conditioning needed to absorb the relentless impact of the fell sides without burning out.
Precision Engineering: Bike Setup & Tech
Beyond physical conditioning, Joel’s upcoming campaign relies heavily on precise equipment choices tailored to the unique terrain of the Three Peaks. Headlining his bike upgrades is a switch to a versatile SRAM drivetrain featuring a 40-46 chainring paired with a 10-tooth cog. This gearing configuration eliminates the risk of getting spun out on flat, high-speed road sections while ensuring he has a sufficiently low gear ratio to tackle steep, grinding climbs like Pen-y-ghent without sacrificing efficiency.
Rolling stock has also undergone a strategic evolution. Joel has opted for wider Schwalbe G1R tyres, designed to offer superior traction, comfort, and vibration dampening during rapid descents. The added volume significantly reduces hand and arm pump, allowing him to maintain fine steering control when fatigue sets in. Furthermore, having suffered demoralizing puncture setbacks during training rides on the moors, he now runs dedicated tyre inserts to eliminate pinch flats over sharp rocks. Rounding out his equipment strategy is a smart clothing routine, prioritizing lightweight layering such as a gilet to shield against dramatic temperature drops at the wind-swept mountain summits.
Tactical Mastery & Lessons Learned
Experience is often the deciding factor in endurance racing, and Joel is approaching his second attempt with tactical maturity. On the treacherous descents, he is casting aside overly aggressive, “gung-ho” riding in favor of a disciplined “smooth is fast” philosophy. By staying relaxed and controlled, he minimizes rider error and dramatically reduces the risk of race-ending crashes.
