There was a congested start for the Darwen Tower fell race over 3.7m and 930` of climb, from Bold Venture Park, Darwen last Saturday. Conditions were excellent, with stunning views in all directions. James Kevan (Horwich) won by some distance in 22.56 but there was a strong run from Alex Fowler who was 10th in 25.12. Darren McDermott was a very good 29th in 27.19. The race was also the 5th in the 2009 series of the National Junior Fell Running Championships with U16/18s also having to run in the main senior race; Nichola Jackson (U18) finished in 33.26. Claire McDermott completed in 34.52 and George Arnold was home in 41.03.

In very humid conditions with the course quite slippy underfoot, Steve Hallas and Anne Sweeney, Preston’s only representatives at the Ulverston 10k, were both disappointed with their efforts over the 10k course. Both finished 4th in their respective events, in 34.00 and 42.19 respectively, with Anne also taking the 1st v50 award.

Although competing numbers were down for last weeks Chorley AC hosted Interclub from the towns Astley Park, Harriers were able to turn out a magnificent 50 runners over the undulating 4.78 mile run. The course is renowned for its tough two loops and with it, two long climbs out of the park and along Southport Road. On a warm evening, the second lap saw many runners having to dig deep & maintain focus to keep pushing up the hill.

Harriers triumphed again in the open race, with Matt Livingstone 2nd, to Blackpools Stuart Robinson, in 25.50. Of the first twelve runners home in the race, Preston packed in eight counters with Steve Hallas (3rd – 26.14), Gary Pennington (4th – 26.28), Jason Parker (5th – 27.12), Gethin Butler (8th – 27.43), Rob Affleck (9th – 28.01), Jon Green (11th – 28.12) & Mark Lee (12th – 28.15.)  Again, there was great support with David Watson 15th in 28.37, Dave Parkington 16th in 28.40, Kevin Hesketh 26th in 29.25 and first lady, Liz Abbott home in 29.55.

Six Preston Harriers athletes travelled down to Bedford last weekend for the annual u15 & u17 England Athletics championships.  Formerly known as the ‘AAA’ championships the event draws the best athletes from the whole of the UK and this year was no exception with some outstanding young athletes displaying their potential.
Ben Akin who is having a splendid season added to his silver medal achieved at English Schools with a bronze in the u17 Men’s 800m event. Ben who finished in a time of 1:55.17 was in contention right up to the final few metres, finishing close behind the leading two as they sprinted for the line. There was plenty of Lancashire interest in race for the line with Sam Yates of Ribble Valley finishing close behind Ben in fourth and Anthony Hauserman and Chris Matthews of Blackburn in fifth and sixth respectively.
Kristian Bibby ran a storming final lap in the u17 Men’s 1500m race to finish in fourth place just 0.5 seconds away from a medal.  His time of 4:01.44 was a new personal best for the distance following on from the new best time he had set in his heat to reach the final as a fastest qualifier.