Preston Harriers Athletics Club

On a clear day with little wind, Helen Clitheroe saw out the year with first place in the Ribble Valley 10k with a time of 32:44. Helen holds the course record from two years ago with 32:20 and this year she was 40 seconds clear of Vicky Gill. Helen finished 21st overall. Philippa Walsh was 24th in 40:20 and Sarah Gohil achieved 33rd spot with her time of 41:56. Emma Deakin, recovering from a bout of illness, was 40th in 43:18. Claire McDermott had a good run in 47:11 and Judith Deakin was second Vet 60 with her time of 52:20. Maureen Whitman, another Vet 60, finished in 1:00.19.

The mens race was won by Antony Ford (Blackpool) in 29:57 - the course record being 29:33. Top placed Harrier was Richard Newton, home from his studies in America, with 13th & a time of 32:02. Steve Smith was 17th, and 1st Vet 45 in 32:19. Steve Hallas was 35th in 33:48 and Jon Green was 48th in 34:48. The other finishers were Neil McDonald (95th-37:08), Michael O`Donnell (133rd - 38:15), Robert Walsh (137th - 38:20), Phil Walsh (159th - 38:52), James Walsh (192nd - 40:03), Stephen Mort (236th - 41:23), Steve Jackson (264th - 42:04), David Large (307th - 43:22), Phil Lakeland (324th - 43:40), John Langhan (394th - 45:58), Stephen Massam (611th - 52:21), David Roberts (651st - 53:51.) There was the usual big field and this year there were 842 finishers.

This year the race conditions were considerably better than that of previous Boxing Day challenges. The only questionable conditions were that of some of the runners struggling with the previous day’s consumption and some of the time keeping but that’s all part of the event! Preston Harriers men’s team comprised 16 members with the first 3 completing the course in less than 35 minutes.

Gary Pennington was first harrier home in 34.01 with Gethin Butler having another strong run in 15th place in overall in 34.27. Third counter was Jon Green 18th overall in 34.35. Neil Mc Donald was next home in 25th (5th V40) in 36.30 and was followed in by Sunil Gohil with a positive performance rewarded with 38.10. Phil Morley 38.26, Steve Jackson 42.06, Phil Lakeland 43.39 and Paul Hooper 46.39 made up the Preston Harriers men’s team.

The Preston Harriers women’s team comprised 6 members with Tiffany Moorcroft leading with a time of 41.37 and Barbara Gilles being rewarded for her fine performance as 1st FV55 in 58.14. Tiffany was followed by Felicity Cross in 51.42, Maggie Lees in 53.29, Ruth Price & Maureen Whitman finishing together in 60.19 and 60.21 respectively.

This years Leyland 10k on Boxing Day, starting from Worden Park, was again played out under grey skies with a stiff breeze along parts of the course. The 2006 winner Gary Dunn (Thirsk & Sowerby) home visiting family in Leyland dropped to 5th this year and, the winner was Adam Peers, a junior from Liverpool Harriers, in 31.09. Vicky Gill, once of Chorley Harriers, now of Aldershot Farnham & District was first lady in 33.22.

For Harriers, the top placed runner was Gary Pennington, 12th in 34.01. Gethin Butler was not far beheind in 15th 34.27 and the improving Jon Green was 18th in 34.35. Neil McDonald, fully enjoying his running again, was 25th in 36.30 and Sunil Gohil was 41st in 38.10 & Phil Morley 43rd in 38.26. First lady for Harriers was Tiffany Moorcroft in 41.37. The remaining finishers were 90th Steve Jackson (42.06), 109th Phil Lakeland (43.39), 145th Paul Hooper (46.39), 184th Felicity Cross (51.42), 199th Maggie Lees (53.29), 239th Barbara Gillies (58.14). 247th Ruth Price (1.00.19), 248th Maureen Whitman (1.00.22.) There were 22 finishers

Download the 'Guess your time 5 km' results here.

The organiser of the Great Langdale races decided to run two 10k races this year and they took place on successive days last weekend. In the first, Dave Preston was 161st in 45:50. In the second race, Graham Morris was 178th in 47:25 and Stephen Massam 193rd in 48:08.