Interclub Series link for more information is here…

http://interclub.azurewebsites.net/

Results from Thornton Cleveleys

The Cwm Pennant fell race is a challenging course of 16 miles with 6,000 feet of ascent. It is a new race, only four years old, and last week it was one of the long races in the British Championship fell running series. Cwm Pennant is a quiet, isolated valley with only single track roads in the western fringes of Snowdonia.
The tops were shrouded in mist, making navigation skills an absolute must. A number of runners, although completing the course, struggled to find some of the checkpoints on the higher tops because of the terrain and misty conditions. Some of the descents needed vigilance and the final descent off Garnedd Goch to checkpoint 9 was over tough pathless terrain and it was vital to take the right line, as those that didn`t lost valuable time.
Nichola Jackson finished 4th lady (and 73rd overall) in a very good time of 3 hrs 02.30. The ladies race winner was Lou Roberts of Ambleside AC. John Rainford was 121st in 3:24.17 and Michael McLoughlin finished in 3:55.38.
The winner was Carl Bell, of Keswick AC in 2:16.42, almost six minutes clear of second place.

The third in the 2016 series of inter club summer evening road races took place in warm and still conditions on the sea front at Lytham, and attracted a bumper field of 330 runners. Preston Harriers once more took the victory in the men’s team stakes, with Gary Pennington 2nd in 26.58, Rob Affleck 3rd in 27.22 and Jason Parker close behind in 3rd with 27.38.The other team counters were Richard Smith (10th), Jon Green (12th), David Watson (16th), Steve Hallas (19th), Neil McDonald (22nd), William Johnstone (33rd) and Chris Wales (38th). Harriers also provided the first veterans team and were 3rd in the MV50 category.

We had a great start to the Inter Club fell series at Hutton Roof fell race.
1st Team
Richard Smith, Jon Green, Dave Parkington, John Griffiths, John Rainford
1st Vet 40 Team
Jon Green, Dave Parkington, John Griffiths, John Rainford
1st Vet 50 Team
Dave Parkington, John Griffiths, John Rainford
1st Vet 60 Team
Alan Appleby, Steve Taylor
1st Vet 70 Team
Ed Stewart, Joe Howard

The Paddys Pole fell race is an annual mid-week fell race organised by Preston Harriers on the Bowland fells. It starts and finishes at Fell Foot, near Chipping.
The race is a tough one although short, at 6k and 336metres of climbing. There are some steep climbs, especially at the start, but with some fast runnable sections, notably the downhill from Paddys Pole itself at the top of Fair Snape Fell.
There was an excellent turn out of helpers and marshals and 101 ran the race on the night. It was warm and humid with thunderstorms not that far away, but it stayed dry. Towards the end of the race, with the last runners still on the fell, huge banks of mist rolled across the hills turning the whole scene very eerie and quiet.

Harriers’ Yorkshire Disappointment
Preston Harriers senior team ventured across the Pennines to compete in the season's second league fixture. The team was greeted by Olympic and World heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill. Jessica had just completed her training session when the team arrived. Jess was kind enough to pose with some of the team for 'selfies'.
Heroic performances from team manager Caroline Warden (Ladies) competing in 7 events and David Rigby who travelled 200 miles to Sheffield from a wedding in the Lakes the previous day to compete in the steeplechase, 5000m and the shot failed to lift the Harriers from last place. The team were without many of their athletes due to a number of reasons.
Harrier stalwart sprinter Symon Woan showed his value to the team with a win in the 200 'B' followed by third in 100m, 5th in 400m and finished by running a leg in both the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m. Daniel Bebbington returned from injury to win the 'B' 800m in 1.55.64.
After a win in the first match, this result was a setback for the team's aspirations. An improvement in results will be needed in the next match.

It was the Southport Triathlon on Sunday, which with being a qualifying event for the ITU Worlds, North West regional and British University Championships, guaranteed a bumper entry. Indeed, close on 1000 triathletes competed in the various categories, with four Preston Harriers competing in the Olympic distance race (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run). Nichola Jackson continued her rich vein of form, dominating proceedings throughout and storming to the finish in 2:18:09 to take the North West female title, finishing over 2 minutes ahead of her nearest competitor and qualifying for the World Championships in Mexico. Billy Johnstone came in with an impressive new PB of 2:35:29, with Michael Brennand (3:01:38) and Jo Grime who also competes for Tri Rivington (3:28:59) completing the Proud Harriers team at what was a very well organised event.

Preston Harriers recorded one of their finest team performances for many years against arguably the largest club in the North of England, Sale. Preston Harriers battled throughout the day with the lead swapping between the clubs. Both finished equal first (subject to scrutiny) on 556 points each. This maintains Harriers on target to qualify for the national final for the 8th time in 9 seasons.
A tremendous thunderstorm greeted the athletes in the first events of the day. The events continued in the torrential downpour but the athletes were focused on their performance. The weather slowly improved as the day went on. Despite the adverse conditions 18 personal bests were set by Harriers. Every point counted with Harrier athletes competing in events that were not their first choice for the sake of the team.
Harriers had 24 individual event winners. Athletes are only allowed to compete in 3 events plus a relay. 14-year-old Sam Gaskell was the only Harrier to win his 3 events, hammer, discus and shot. Jasmine Jolly (under 15) showed her outstanding talent with a double win in the 75m hurdles and high jump recording 11.4s and 1.50m respectively. Fast improving under 15 boy sprinter Michael Fisher won the 100m 'B' race and the 'B' 300m. Macy Noblett (under 13) won her 70m hurdles race at a canter and then put the shot 8.99m to easily win the event.

Read more...