Tonight I shall inveigh against the Surrey Three Peaks. This was a challenge that I would find posters for scattered across the woodland south of Dorking near Leith Hill. It was an admirable endeavour for charity whereby walkers, runners and the can't make your mind up crowd of joggers complete three hills in Surrey. The usual route is 26 miles though the peaks can differ. The highest hills (Box Hill, Leith Hill and Holmbury Hill) are usually included.
This a good stiff walk and could be accurately called the Surrey Hills Challenge (a more fitting tribute to the locale) or the Surrey Three Hills. I am unconvinced that any of the hills in Surrey could be described as having a peak. One expects snow, technical scrambling and walking up for a few hours. The ups and downs of Surrey just don't cut in and these titles do encourage a Trade Descriptions Act moment.
Does this appropriation actually detract from the Three Peaks itself? Not really. Those who experience the proper challenge understand what is required and can look down on such error from a great height! The lesson is that you do not need to clothe your route in another's garb. I am sure that there is a better name for these routes. Though I would balk at the Surrey Stride which is also intellectual property theft. I would prefer the Surrey Hills marathon.