3 ladies tuned out for Preston Harriers in the popular Ladies only 4 mile race on Good Friday. In breezy conditions but on a flat course around Victoria Park, in Southport, Anne Sweeney was 12th overall and 1st Vet 50 in 26.14, Marion Hesketh was 14th in 26.31 and 2nd Vet 55 and Judith Deakin was 51st and 2nd Vet 60 in 32.58.

In the mens` race Kevin Hesketh celebrated his first race as a Vet 55 by winning his age group and finishing 33rd overall in 22.57.Michael Bell 29.23 and Graham Morris 29.50 completed a team for the men.

The challenging course from Caldervale over rural roads saw a number of Preston Harriers getting to grips with the tough hills and fast downhills, with several posting faster times than last year. Gary Pennington ran superbly well for his second place in 55.57, with Matt Nuttall taking first in 55.01. Neil McDonald & Dave Watson enjoyed their own personal battle as they pushed each other, finishing in 1:02.35 and 1:03.49 respectively. Stephen Mort was home in 66th place, with a strong run in 1:10.25 whilst Greg O`Brien finished 89th in 1:13.02. Just two places behind was Steve Young in 1:13.47.

The remaining club finishers were:- John Langhan (1:17.16), Sam Winders (1:19.56), Anna Moir (1:19.59), Dolly Capstick (1:23.17), Steve Jackson (1:23.18), Lindsey Berends (1:23.33), Andrew Grimshaw (1:27.00), Charlotte Rawcliffe (1:27.31), Gareth Roberts (1:28.59), Sue Wickham (1:44.00)

The Anniversary Waltz fell race covering the Newlands valley horseshoe and starting from Stair village hall near Keswick saw 469 runners complete the 11½ mile with 3,600` of climb. Hot conditions made this testing outing even tougher with the result that times were down on expectations. However, an in-form Steve Bamber led the Harrier contingent home in 1:56.05 in 43rd. Roger Taylor was 101st in 2:07.37 & Mick McLoughlin 173rd in 2:17.24.

Other club finishers were Gordon Thompson (2:29.38), Robyn Anderson (2:32:35), Emma Gregory (2:43.44), Ed Stewart (2:57.59), Pete Carter (2:59.31), Brian Dearnaley (3:09.07).

Amended 18/5/2009

Robyn Anderson's time was mixed up with another runner. The race organisers have corrected this and the correct time is now shown here.

In excellent conditions but on a new course which has been recognised as being over distance, Steve Hallas and Anne Sweeney were Preston Harriers only representatives.

In his final race before London, Steve ran conservatively to finish a comfortable 3rd overall in 33.26. Anne Sweeney ran a good race to finish 5th lady and was 1st vet 50 in 41.11

On 29th March nearly 4,000 runners lined up for the start of the prestigious Asics Wilmslow Half Marathon, which this year incorporated the English Half Marathon championships. As a result, there were a number of top runners in attendance and all were rewarded with a spectacularly sunny day, without a cloud in the sky. One of the features of the event is the superb organisation, from car parking to marshalling, and at the finish areas to, and new for this yea, was chip-timing to ensure that all runners got an accurate time as with so many it can take a while to cross the start line.

The race was won by Mark Miles (Belgrave Harriers) in 1:04.10 and the female winner was Michelle Ross-Cope (Stoke AC) in 1:12.34.  With a high mileage to sustain him, in his build up for the London marathon, Steve Hallas was first Preston Harrier home in 1:09.57 and 27th overall. Gethin Butler had an excellent run too, in 1:10.59, for second V40 behind former Preston Harrier, Eddie Simpson. Rob Affleck going very well presently was 61st in 1:16.16, David Watson was 11th V40 in 1:21.58 and not far behind was Neil McDonald in 1:22.13.

Liz Abbott was first women home for the Preston Harriers in a wonderful 1:27.29, as she too prepares for the London Marathon, and 25th female overall. Anne Sweeney took the female V50 top spot in 1:30.12 with as, ever, a determined run.

Steve Mort finished in 1:32.13 and Phil Nicholson in 1:33.48. The remaining finishers from Preston Harriers were:- Eddy Little (1:34.23), Stephen Young (1:35.34), David Large (1:36.54), Steve Jackson (1:37.51), John Langhan (1:39.36), Michael Jeffryes (1:54.42 - a new personal best) Dolly Capstick (1:54.34), Stephen Massam (1:58.44), Karlyn Forrest (1:58.45), Carl Wynne (2:00.59) and Rachel Corteen (2:10.22).

In another of the hugely popular pre London Marathon races, an event that encourages runners to have a weekend in the Lake District, the Coniston 14 took runners on a circuit around the lake. Preston Harriers Stephen Laker was 168th in 1:40.3, Anna Moir ran 1:51.39 and Phil Lakeland finished 1:53.36. Gareth Roberts finished in 1:56.44 and Caroline Collinson and Janice Metcalf both completed in 2:06.27. Dave Bowers ran 2:06.36 and other finishers were George Andrews in 2:09.12, Helen Holden in 2:23.17, Helen Boyer in 2:25.06 and Sue Mercer in 3:09.59.

On the 29th March Preston Harriers Emma Gregory took part in the gruelling Edale Skyline fell race in Derbyshire, over 21 miles and 4,500 foot of climb, finishing in 4hrs 23mins.

Preston Harriers are running another Arriva Star:Track event at the Preston Sports Arena over three days, from Tuesday 26th May to Thursday 28th May inclusive. Start is at 10.00 am and finish at 2.30pm. It is a great opportunity to have fun and take part in athletic events covering running, jumping and throwing and there will be a mini-competition on the last day. 

The price is only £30 and an application form, or more information, can be obtained from Bob Welfare at 59 Ribblesdale Drive, Grimsargh, Preston, PR2 5RJ or telephone (01772) 653926 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The final set of races in the Mid Lancs cross country series was held at Witton Park, Blackburn on Sunday 14th March.  Route amendments had taken place due to building works to take place across the school playing field.  The numbers of Preston Harriers out were down, although Robert Bryning was 8th in the Under 11 boys race in 7.29 over 1.6k whilst Adam Roberts was 29th in 8.17.

Although she didn’t run, Florie McLeish took the U13 girls overall title with four wins in her four races. In U17 women, over 4k, Nichola Jackson was 2nd in 17.50, finished third overall in the U17 women's table.  Joe O’Donnell ran 16.52 in the U15 boys race, also over 4k. Richard Morrell, who didn’t run, finished first in the U17 men’s table.

For the senior women, over 6k, Preston Harriers women were 1st team placed with Tanja Slater, Philippa Walsh and Emma Essex-Crosby counting and the Vet 45 women’s team was placed 2nd with placings for Philippa Walsh, Marion Hesketh and Judith Deakin.

There were runs too from Caroline Collinson and first time out for Mary Dawes. The men ran 4 large laps, over 9.4k, and Jason Parker was first home for Preston Harriers in 29th in 40.08.  Dave Parkington was 39th in 40.50 and Kevin Hesketh was 60th in 42.23. Other Preston Harriers finishers were Mark Lee (43.21), Phil Walsh (43.49), John Rainford (44.54), Stephen Mort (48.44) and Brian Dearnaley (1:01.09).

The Trimpell 20 mile road race was held at Morecambe on Sunday 15th March under favourable weather conditions.  This popular event gives people a partial insight to the rigours of the London Marathon (to be held on 26th April) and was completed by 493 runners, 13 of whom were from Preston Harriers. 

First Preston Harrier home was Gethin Butler who finished 2nd overall and 1st veteran in an impressive 1:53:20, just over 3 minutes behind the overall winner Michael Aspinall of Lancaster & Morecambe AC. 

First female Preston Harrier was Liz Abbott who finished in 117th position overall and 14th woman in 2:22:38.  Other Preston Harriers to finish were:  Rob Affleck in 1:58:19, Chris Wilson in 2:10:55, Will Garner in 2:15:36 , Alan Appleby in 2:22:39, Dave Large in 2:40:12 , Eddy Little in 2:41:43, Dolly Capstick in 2:53:05 , Paul Mackie in 3:02:56, Colin Lambert in 3:17:08, Gareth Roberts in 3:20:27 and Sue Wickham in 3:42:41.