Good Friday saw bright and fresh weather conditions at the annual Calder Vale 10 mile race around undulating lanes of the Bowland Forest. Thanks to a well-organised race committee the start time was delayed by 15 minutes to allow athletes to get there after negotiating very heavy traffic. Once away, the front runners took advantage of the first 2 mile descent with  Preston Harrier Gary Pennington mixing it up with the leading athletes. At the midway point just two athletes were in contention for victory with Pennington stalking Toby Loveridge of Liverpool. Pennington’s strength of pace paid dividends in the closing stages of the race, with a storming charge for the line in 55.12 to claim overall victory.

Last Friday saw 5 Proud Preston Harriers toe the line at the annual Salford 10k which was won in 30.43 by Adrian Holliday of Tipton Harriers.
The first of the Harriers to cross the line was David Rigby, making a tentative return to racing after injury with a creditable time of 33.09 in 18th place overall.  Strong performances were seen from Jon Green with 33.21 in 22nd place overall and Christopher Tully who struggled over the closing stages, after a blistering start, to post 36.26. Next over the line was Kevin Hunt in 38.03 and Bryan Bates in 41.07  completed the team entry.

Following on from the British Masters Indoor Championships, the same Preston Harriers athletes went to San Sebastian in northern Spain to compete, again along with Averil McClelland of Lancaster and Morecambe, this time with the hope of winning a European medal or even being on the podium with the National Anthem playing.
Steve Hallas M40  ran the 1500m, 3000m and X-C, Steve Smith M50  the 1500m and 3000m, Sharon Greenwood W40 and Mark Davies M35  the 200m and 400m, Averil McClelland W50  the 60m and 200m and Alan Appleby M65  the X-C.
The first to compete on the Tuesday were the Steves in the 3000m which took place in the afternoon. Steve Hallas came 10th in a time of 9.26.71 and Steve Smith was 5th in 9.31.96.

Over 3,500 runners took part in last Sunday’s Wilmslow Half marathon on a bitterly cold morning. The easterly wind made the last few miles into the headwind extremely hard work, but the Harriers trio of Gethin Butler, David Rigby and Rob Affleck all finished in the first dozen in a high class and very competitive field.
Butler was 9th overall in 71.21 and for the third year in succession was 1st vet 40. But not far behind was Rigby in 11th with 71.56 and Affleck was 12th in 72.13. They had run in close order throughout the race, which was won by Joe McDonald (Cardiff AC) in 64.54. The ladies’ winner was Julie Briscoe of Wakefield and District Harriers in 1:15.15

Sophie Riley of Preston Harriers, coached by Steve James, was selected to represent England in the 200m at under 20. She competed at Cardiff in the Celtic Cup on 10 March, where she won her 200m race in a time of 25.66 seconds and ran the decisive leg in the 4 x 200m relay.

From 2nd April all athletes will need a track pass to gain entry to the track
 
Track Permits run from the 1st April to the 30th September 2013
Cost - Juniors (Under 16)  £40 (or pay £4 each session); Adults £80 (or pay £5 each session)
 
WARNING - NO PERMIT NO ACCESS TO THE TRACK
 
Suggest that you get your permit before you attend your first session in April

Call in at the Reception at UCLan Sports Arena in person (parent with your sibling/s) as a new picture of the permit holder has to be taken (They have a new system). Permit Forms can be filled out at the Arena.

Times - Monday to Thursday 9am - 8pm; Friday, Saturday & Sunday 9am - 5pm (It will take about 5 minutes)

The Preston Harriers team made their presence felt at this year’s event with a mighty performance to be rewarded with the Lancashire team prize.  David Rigby led at the start, determined to test all at the front, but paid for it at the midway point and capitulated the harrier lead to a consistently strong Rob Affleck. They continued to push each other, with Affleck mixing it up with the front runners to storm the finish line in 55.08 4th overall and 2nd V40 and Rigby next in with 55.33 5th overall. Next harrier in was Paul Lightfoot who gained a position in the closing 50 metres with a lightning sprint finish in 60.20 and was followed in by Chistopher Tully and David Watson who were in close contention right to the line. Tully gained the advantage in 61.01 and Watson finished in 61.06.

Congratulations to Harriers middle distance athlete Patrick Dever who came 2nd in the Inter Boys race. The event took place at Catton Hall, Walton-upon-Trent, Derbyshire last weekend. Patrick was running as part of the Lancashire Schools team and was up with the leaders throughout the race. At the final decent he took at tumble on the hill, but got up and recovered quickly, finishing a mere 5 seconds behind race winner Zak Miller (Gtr Manchester). Chris Durney also finished in a very creditable 23rd place in the same race - well done Chris! Patrick will now go on to compete at the Schools International, representing England, on Saturday 23rd March in Dinefwr Park, Llandeilo, Wales.

At the 30th British Masters Open Indoor Championships held at Lee Valley Athletics Centre at Enfield, Middlesex on the 9th /10th March, Preston Harriers had four athletes competing: Steve Smith, Steve Hallas, Sharon Greenwood and Mark Davies. They were joined by Averil McClelland from Lancaster and Morecambe, a training partner of Sharon, all competing under the Northern Veterans banner.

At the Guild Hall last Friday night at the Preston Sports Awards Harriers won the Club of the Year. The commentary on the nomination video stated ‘ 2012 was Harriers most successful year in the clubs 132 year history. The club achievements included the Northern Athletics League Division 1 Champions for the first time in the history of the club, Lancashire Sportshall Champions, and 7 athletes gained medals at National Championships to name but a few. Harriers have worked in schools for many years and have in the last 12 months set up a number of satellite clubs in schools to act as feeders to the main club. The Olympics has seen a marked interest in Harriers with many new members joining. Harriers run a Fitness and Running Group which continues to expand. Harriers have been instrumental in organising and supporting the Preston Park Run. Harriers won the England Athletics North West Community club of the year’.

The Video can be viewed by contacting Bob Welfare

Dave Tate was Highly Commended in the Special Recognition Award for his coaching work over the last 25 years. Dave is due to take a more backseat but will still be around. We thank Dave for all that he has done for the club.

Patrick Dever was Highly Commended in the Rising Star Category for his brilliant year of achievements.

Harriers Senior Track & Field Team also won the Highly Commended award in the Senior Team Performance for their first Northern Division One Championship in 2012