You know the scene – at an elite cycle race when the leaders fly around the circuit – you always get some spectators who sprint up alongside shouting encouragement until their legs realise their desire is stronger than their fitness and they collapse in a heap, whilst the pro rider relentlessly continues to the summit.

However is that always going to be the case? Is a mere mortal deprived of any form of machine always going to come up second to man plus bike?

Well of course there’s only one way to find out, which is exactly what I did a few nights ago… I was amongst a few hundred people who braved the midge swarms to see the answer to a bar-room stoked riddle / challenge – up a hill, would a good runner beat a decent cyclist? A few months’ earlier two members of my running club - one who also cycles - had just that discussion and a pint or two later the challenge had been set and Biker v Runner was on. Finding the hill wasn’t a problem where we live – the Salterforth Drag actually has a running race up it each year and is also a Strava listing. Just over a kilometre long and 15% at its steepest it would be a test for both going flat out.

The next few months it was the mainstay of conversation initially amongst the local running and cycling fraternity, then into the wider community. Almost the local friendlier version of Mayfeather v Pacquio or Froome v Contador... The anticipation and excitement was building towards the evening.

The cyclist (best keep it anonymous here) took it very seriously. Plenty of training rides, got the latest kit, even asked for help on his tactics. The runner, on the other hand took it in his normal casual manner. No slouch, he came in the top 50 in the Great North Run a couple of years ago. Neither was under any doubt it wasn’t going to be a stroll in the park though.

Bets were placed, fundraisers sorted for Pendleside Hospice, local farmers were warned and our Facebook page went into overload.

So who would come out on top...?

Crowds lined the route creating a cracking atmosphere. Official timekeepers were in position and camera phones were mounted on pillions – then bang and they were off. The runner took an immediate lead and set a good pace. He held this lead until at least half way when the cyclist began to get his cadence settled and into a rhythm slowly, and only slowly catching. They were neck and neck with 200m to go before the runner started to dip in pace a bit and the cyclist took it by about 25m, straight into the crowds gathered at the finish.

What does all this prove? Well not a lot in terms of athletic comparison perhaps – though it would be fascinating to see a Farah v Wiggins attempt at the same challenge. Nor is it all about elite performance.

More I suggest it’s about just having fun, keeping active, not being constrained and how one little discussion can go a long way …… which is usually how the best event concepts come about!