On the 13th November, it was a race to remember for the three Preston Harriers who competed in ‘The Catforth Canter Remembrance Sunday’ race. This is a very popular local 5k race, which well deserves its popularity, due to its fast and flat course.
It was great running all round, with Jason Parker leading the Harriers home by running a phenomenal race. He successfully came second overall, with a superb time of 16.27. Jason was followed over the line shortly afterwards by Peter Cowling, who was within touching distance of a sub 19 minute time, but nevertheless was delighted to achieve a personal best of 19.02.
Also racing, and overjoyed to receive the ladies V40 prize, was Victoria Duckett, who battled hard to receive a long awaited new 5k pb of 21.15. Victoria Duckett’s father, Alan Littler also competed, and it was his first race back after an injury. He was more than happy to win the V70 category with a very respectable time of 24.26.

Preston Harriers staged their inaugural Sportshall meeting at Preston College as an opener before the Lancashire Sportshall League begins. Ninety-six Harriers athletes from school years 3 to 10 entered the club only event. Many of the competing Harriers were Sportshall débutantes who were developing the skills and expertise needed in preparation for the first league fixture. 8-year-old Grace Delaney scored 3 wins in her 3 events to secure the year 3 girls’ title in her first ever athletic competition. Bayla-Rose Smart (school year 4), Cerys Allen (school year 5), Eleanor Noblet (school year 7) and year 9 athlete Lauren Tunstall all took their respective age titles with a maximum score from their 3 events.

Perhaps the most keenly contested age group was the school year 6 boys event, in which Sebastian Chiarella and James Ince faced one another. They both won an event each when they were not competing against one another. The 1 lap event was their first meeting. Seb managed to pip James by a tenth of a second, 10.3 sec to 10.4 sec. However James got his revenge in the 3 lap event when he recorded the fastest time of the day, 30.6 seconds. Consequently they both shared the year 6 boys title with 28 points each.

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On a brisk autumnal morning three Preston Harriers went to Wheelton for this undulating challenge. Emma Essex-Crosby, Chris Miles and Alan Appleby took up the gauntlet offered by the organiser Terry Dickenson. The unusual distance of eight and a half miles tests the hill climbing abilities as well as the descending skills of the participants.
Three long climbs, one right at the start outside the Dressers Arms, take the competitors through the villages of Brinscall, Withnell and Abbey Village and back to Wheelton, a real challenge. Thankfully the weather was crisp and clear, the course itself enough to contend with, and there were beautiful views over the Ribble Valley, Longridge and Bowland Fells and the West Pennine Moors.

MONDAY 14TH NOVEMBER
WEDNESDAY 23RD NOVEMBER
MONDAY 28TH NOVEMBER

The second Mid Lancs cross country league fixture was held at Cuerden Park and hosting club Red Rose produced a set of demanding and hilly courses that tested everyone who ran.
In the under 11 races, Harriers had a number of debutant runners who were soon disappearing up the first hill straight from the start! Anna Thompson had another good run for 19th with runs also from Eloise White, Isabella Buraimo, Grace Wareing, Isabelle Duckett, Grace Home, Bayla Rose-Smart, Sophia Ince and Rhiannon Magee. In the boys race, James Ince, looking strong throughout, won the 1.8k distance in 6.10. The boys finished 3rd team with the other counters being Joshua Simmons and Corey Middleton.
Eva Sturzaker was 23rd in the u13 girls race and team counters were Georgie Wilson and Cailin Magee. Luke Suffolk led the u13 boys team home, with a personal best 22nd place over 2.7k. He was just ahead of Vladimir Wiggins and Gary Lee-Hill.

Preston Harriers were represented in two of the races at the Northern Cross Country relays at Graves Park in Sheffield. On a cool, mostly dry day the ground underfoot was firm with sporadic muddy sections. The course was undulating with long climbs and a couple of sharp descents thrown in. The under 13 boys’ team continued their excellent form during the relay season with second place. Ethan Warren got the team off to a strong start handing over in fifth with the 7th fastest leg of anyone on the day. Tom Durney caught two runners to hand over into third for Thomas Barnes to run the second fastest final leg and finish strong to take the Harriers into second overall.
The senior men's team were started off with Richard Smith running the first of the two mile legs, handing over in 40th. Alan Durney then took up the charge, followed by Chris Wales and Alex Waddelove who consolidated the team's 40th position in a strong competition.

The Standish Hall Trail Race took place on Saturday 22 October, attracting a field of 139
predominantly north-west based runners. This biannual event, organised by Wigan Phoenix, takes place in February and October over tough and hilly terrain very close to M6 Junction 27.
Preston Harriers fielded 4 participants with Jenny Wren 49th to finish and securing the
position of 3rd lady in 46.28. She was followed home by Michael Brown (89th in 52.45), Kate Lakeland (91st in 53.01) and Phil Lakeland (106th in 55.49).