Everyone knows how versatile an animal the pig is. He's very tasty, for a start, a very clean animal too, but also very intelligent. They make great pets, and if you train them they will even pick the kids up from school, leaving you to enjoy doing what you want to do.
Pigs can also run a 7 minute mile, and it's this piece of knowledge that fascinated pig farmer Jeff Norman, 57 from Ribblesdale.
Jeff takes up the story, 'Everyone knows me round here, and back in the 70's I did a bit of Peak running myself, managing to win the 3 Peaks Race no less than 6 times!When I stopped running, and started with the pigs I was fascinated at how strong the little buggers are. Great stamina they've got. I knew they could run a mile pretty quick and started to train with them over longer distances.
'They're great training partners, never moan and just get on with it. The beauty of Stan, when he entered the race, was he knew the route, and to see him in the leading pack as they approached the finish was incredible. Rob Jebb, who's won the race 4 times was up there as well, but Stanley's just pipped him on the line and created history too. It was a wonderful moment, very emotional. I'm the first person to win the race and train a pig to do it. I'm a very proud man. Stan's a great pig and a worthy champion, no matter what Rob Jebb says.'
Runner up Rob said 'It's a bloody joke. '
