The course at the Inskip half-marathon was free of snow and ice, apart from one small section, last weekend.  However, runners had to contend with icy blasts from the east with many of the 317 finishers opting for long sleeves, hats and gloves to protect themselves from the wind.  18 Preston Harriers took part.
David Rigby charged off the start line in pursuit of a victory with local athlete, Stuart Robinson of Salford Harriers, having to push hard to contain Rigby’s persistent pace.  Robinson eventually took 1st place in a course record of 1.08.25 with Rigby claiming 2nd in a new personal best of 1.09.51, his previous best having been at Reading in April 2012.  It says much for the quality shown by the front two as 3rd place was 4½ minutes behind Rigby.

Last Sunday Lancashire Sportshall teams competed in the Regional Finals at SportsCity, Manchester. The Lancashire teams were selected from Blackpool, Chorley, Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn, Kirkham, Lancaster & Morecambe, Preston, Pendle and Westholme.
Lancashire U11s last won the Regional Finals in 2001 and 2002.  It took former Lancashire Team Manager, Paul Brooke, 3 years to achieve this.  Debutant Girls Team Manager Kelly Brooke, Pauls daughter, this year took two teams to compete.  Kelly’s task was to take the trophy away from Merseyside who have been dominant over the last few years.

Preston Harriers had two athletes crowned as Northern Champions, and a good collection of 2 silver and 6 bronze medals in a variety of events.
In the under 20 category, first year Jamaine Coleman made his 8:43.02 win in the 3000m look straightforward, despite running a personal best by almost 20 seconds!
Curtis Mitchell, another first year under 20, was the other champion, running his 60m hurdles over the new height and spacing faster than his under 17 performances last year over the lower hurdles.
Under 17 James Salisbury had a good run in the 800 metres, leading comfortably until overtaken on the final bend to finish  in second place. Hopefully James is not too dissatisfied with a silver to add to the bronze from his 400m the previous day.
In the Under 17s Luke Farnworth reached the final of the 60m hurdles and went on to win a silver medal in that event  with a time of 8.79 seconds.

Last Sunday Preston Harriers were proudly represented at the annual Garstang 10 km road race by just 9 athletes, who toed the line in biting temperatures. The race starts at Garstang High School with a fast downhill section and the eventual winner, Anthony Valentine, charged away from his challengers to storm the line in 32.48. Kevin Hunt, looking resplendent in his new club vest, was the first Preston Harrier to cross the line with a cracking PB of 38.21 and was followed in by Jonathan Clemson in 41.15, Phil Anderson in 41.30, Neil McDonald 42.12, Pete Smith 42.29, Ritchie Peet 42.55 and Dave Wakefield 45.46. Sue Clemson was the first Harrier lady home in 55.07 and was followed in by Felicity Cross with 55.55 to complete the Preston Harriers team.

Preston Harriers’ youngsters amazing form continued at the latest Mid Lancs Cross Country meeting at Wilson Fields, Hyndburn. Just four fixtures into the season all three boys’ teams have already clinched their team titles.
Dean Tierney overturned a narrow defeat to Kendal’s Cole Blaikie in the previous fixture to dominate the race from the early stages, winning by a hugely impressive 48 seconds. Adam Roberts produced his best race of the season to finish 5th, while Jerome Jolly (11th), George Ashcroft (12th) and Shaun Beckett (16th) made it four wins from four. Luke Parker (23rd), Lewis Bernstein (29th) and Tom Treadell (30th) all provided great support.
It was also four straight wins for the under 15 boys who were once again led by the superb Chris Durney. The Preston youngster made sure of the individual title with his 3rd win of the season. Andy Moffat continues to improve and had a splendid run for 7th, whilst Robert Bryning (13th) and Chris Luff (18th) made valuable contributions to ensure another team title.

It was another great day for Preston Harriers’ junior athletes at the Lancashire Cross Country Championships held at Witton Park as they picked up half of the individual county titles on offer, three individual silvers and a bronze medal. Added to that there were three team titles, a runners up place and a bronze medal for the under 13 girls.
The boys dominated proceedings, claiming all three major championships, both individually and in the team events.
Dean Tierney set the ball rolling by taking the under 13 title. Tierney powered away from Hyndburn’s Joshua Boyle up the ‘saucer’ to win by a comfortable margin. Louis Barrow (9th)  led a tightly bunched pack of young Harriers home with his highest finish to date. Adam Roberts (12th), Jerome Jolly (13th), Sean Beckett (14th) and George Ashcroft (15th) all put in spirited performances to leave with a gold team medal.

Last Sunday saw the annual Ribble Valley 10K take place around the undulating lanes of Clitheroe. 26 Preston Harriers eagerly toed the line keen to blow away their Christmas excesses and score well in the first of the club championship races. The size of the field proved difficult for some, at the start, but that did not prevent David Rigby from establishing a strong position at the sharp end of the action. Rigby was able to utilise the strength of his competitors around him to attain a new PB of 31.23 in a creditable 27th Overall, just days after setting his 1st PB under 32 minutes at the Boxing Day 10K at Leyland. Next in was Callum Rowett who as a junior made his presence felt with a strong finish in 34.09 along with Preston Harrier’s 1st lady home, Stephanie Roe, with 36.08.Dave Watson and Alan Durney had a close race with Watson finishing strongly to cross the line in 37.18 and Durney pushing him all the way in 37.45. K. Judd, another Harrier Junior Man, who has made excellent progress throughout the year, was next to finish in 38.11 with K.Hunt in 38.30, S. Young 39.20 and Mr. P. Walsh in 39.43. A trio of the Cowling Family raced with Elizabeth making her debut as a Preston Harrier. Peter led the way with 41.28, Victoria 46.11 and Elizabeth in 47.43 to complete the family entry.

11:00 am Junior Race - (must be 10 - 13 on day of race)
3 x 2.8K legs with 106m ascent BS

12:00 noon Senior Race - (must be 14 on day of race)
3 x 5K Legs with 189m ascent BS

Team Awards and Fastest Leg Awards
Categories Open, Vet (40+), Junior (14-17) in Male and Female.
Fully Flagged and well marshalled.
20% of entry fees will go to Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team.

A group of Preston Harriers and friends travelled over to the moorland setting of Penistone Country Park, near Haworth, for the 23rd running of The Stoop fell race.
The race is well liked, and over 270 runners were present for the senior race of 5 miles and 800 feet of climb. Before the seniors, an amazing and remarkable 200 juniors ran age group races in and around the old quarry. A long tradition of the races for both juniors and seniors is the obligatory wearing of Santa hats and there were plenty of fancy dress outfits too and prizes for the best.

Preston Harriers young middle distance squad continued to excel at the latest Mid Lancs Cross Country fixture at a frosty Kendal Showground, as the various teams continued to strengthen their grip on a number of titles.
Following 4th and 3rd place finishes at Burnley and Liverpool, the under 13 girls improved to second.
Charlotte Crook gained her first Mid Lancs victory with an exceptional run. Crook  overtook early leader Emma Alderson of Southport before powering away from  Cumbria’s Imogen Burrow up the final hill to secure the win. Twins Emily and Chloe Hall had fine runs in 20th and 23rd, whilst the young trio of Holly Keelan, Hannah Mulholland and Tegan Macuras made sure of second place with battling performances.
Chris Durney and Fabrice Kisela continue to dominate the under 15 boy’s races making it three consecutive first and second finishes. This time it was Durney’s turn to win, overturning his defeat at Liverpool to claim his second victory of the season, narrowly beating Kisela in a sprint finish. Both boys continue to set very high standards. The team made it three wins on the spin  as Ethan Darr produced his best cross country performance to finish 8th and wonderful support was given by Rob Bryning 13th, Chris Luff 15th, Paul Blezard 17th and Jack McNeela 18th.