Dearham Firefighter beats horse in Whole Earth Man Vs Horse race

Ricky Lightfoot, a firefighter from Dearham, has completed the 'Man V Horse' race, in which people race against horses on a 22 mile course. 

Not only did Ricky win the race - the first person to do so in years - but he also beat one of the horses to the finish line by a matter of minutes. 

We spoke to Ricky to find out more about this impressive feat. 

READ MORE: Workington's Ricky Lightfoot 'disappointed' after Three Peaks Race

Mr Lightfoot said: "I mean obviously it's great to be able to do such an achievement and to be only the third person to do it in the 41-year history is good. 

"I've spoken to quite a lot of people this week about it and I've ran a lot more races where I've been exhausted, but this time I felt that I could have went a lot further. 

"It was a good course and a fast course with lots of mixed terrain so it was quite enjoyable."

Ricky Lightfoot during the Three Peaks Race Photo: Dave and Eileen Woodhead

Ricky is a very experienced runner and is sponsored by the outdoorwear brand Salomon so has completed races all over the world. 

He has been racing like this since 2009 and says that he has had a lot of good opportunities. 

Some countries that Ricky has completed running challenges in include America, Spain, Mauritius and South Africa. 

Ricky says that this is a race that he has been wanting to do for a long time after hearing about the first man to beat the horse in 2004. 

He explained that he is very pleased that he got the chance to take part in the race this year. 

SUCCESS: Ricky accepting his trophy

Mr Lightfoot added: I've been picked to represent Great Britain next month in the European Trail Championships which will be in Spain. 

"To be picked to represent your country for Great Britain is a big thing and I've done it a few times in the past but every time it's special."