It was the British Triathlon Championships in Liverpool last Sunday. In a top quality field , five Harriers competed in the Olympic distance of 1.5k swim, 40k bike and 10k run. Despite the windy conditions all five did the club and the city proud, with new personal bests across the board. Nichola Jackson led the charge, finishing in a very fast 2: 14:42 and continuing her successes this season with a 3rd place finish in her age group and 14th overall. Steve Bamber (2:14:42) led home the men with Kevin Hunt (2:19:50), Billy Johnstone (2:25:25) and Michael Brennand (2:47:20) completing a fine day’s performance from the Harriers triathletes.

Young Harriers medal haul
Middlesbrough hosted for the second year running the North of England under 13, under 15 &under; 17 Track & Field Championships. A small team of 10 Preston Harriers won 4 silver medals and a bronze. These Championships come in the middle of the holiday season which was a factor for the disappointing turn out of Harrier athletes.
Ethan Tibbs won 2 medals, a silver in the under 15 boys’ long jump with a lifetime best of 5.7 metres and followed that with a bronze in the 300 metres running 38.22 seconds. Ben Preddy continues his development recording 9:21.62, a personal best in the under 15 boys 3000m to win a silver medal.Multi-talented Jasmine Jolly won a silver with a time of 11.85 in the 75m under 15 girls hurdles final. She also long jumped 4.78m. 14-year-old hammer thrower Sam Gaskell continues to win medals at championships with silver (52.15 metres) to add to his English Schools' silver. Sam was beaten on both occasions by Hull's Shaun Kerry.

To celebrate the start of the Olympic Games on Saturday 6th August, Preston Harriers arranged a club takeover at Preston parkrun. A club takeover is a day when a running club supports their local parkrun by supplying the volunteers for the day and organising the event. Preston Harriers did their club and city proud by delivering a parkrun that will live long in the memories of those involved.

PRESTON HARRIERS FINISH RUNNERS UP
Preston Harriers last Senior League's match at Blackburn was keenly contested with Harriers in a mix to win the League with City of Sheffield and the last 3 years winners Wakefield. To be crowned as Champions Harriers had to win the match. It was clear after the first couple of events that the match was between Wakefield and Preston with Sheffield not in the picture. The lead changed hands throughout the day with Wakefield just winning by 23 points 412 to 389.
Curtis Mitchell ran a season best time of 15.65 seconds in winning the 110 metres Hurdles after returning from a recent hamstring injury. Tom Batty won the 'B' race to score maximum points for Harriers. Sophie Warden showed how valuable she is to the club by winning both 'B' 400m Hurdles and Triple Jump recording 72.09 and 10.62m. Fellow triple jumper Amy Lupton won the 'A' event with 11.11m. Amy had a busy afternoon also Long Jumped, threw the Javelin, Hurdled the 400m, put the shot and then ran a leg of the 4 x 100.

The Borrowdale fell race, which is one of the long Lakeland classics and a renowned tough race was this year, an English Fell Championship counter. Nichola Jackson had a superb run finishing 2nd lady and 60th overall, over the 17 miles and 6,500 feet of climb route. Jackson posted 3 hrs 35.06 and despite a tumble coming off Scafell Pike, she was very pleased with her run.

This scenic race alongside the River lune attracted several members of Preston Harriers. The race was won by Michael Kallenberg in 51.36. First Harrier was Rob Affleck, who was 3rd overall in a season’s best time of 55.36. Next Harrier to finish was Chris Wales in 65.49; he was followed by Lee Foley in 69.35, Alan Appleby (72.36) and Andrew Tranter (75.14). Angela Tranter set a new PB of 97.52, Sue Wickham was close behind her in 99.40 and Judith Deakin ran 1.46.56.

Runners in the Blackpool Air Show 10k had to battle against very strong winds as they ran along the Lower Promenade with no shelter from the gale. The race was won by former GB marathoner Andi Jones in an excellent time for the conditions of 32.49. Jason Parker was the first Preston Harrier to finish; he was 5th and 1st MV40 in 36.13. There was close packing from Mark Lee in 34th (40.51), Dougie Potter in 39th (41.23) and Dominic Moon in 41st (41.27). Marian Hesketh was 1st FV60 in 47.09, Daniel Higgins was close behind her in 47.46 and Helen Boyer ran 63.39.

The NW Counties Road Relays are on Saturday 10th September at Delamere Forest, Linmere, Delamere, nr Northwich, Cheshire. Sue Wickham is going to manage the Senior Women's teams.

For the women, with a start time of 1.15 pm there are 3 runners in a team, with each running a leg of 6.4k. If you wish to run (and you must be a fully paid up current member) please can you contact Sue Wickham by Monday 29th August. Please see her or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The plan will be to put in as many teams as possible. If you say you're going to run, please do not pull out as this is unfair to everyone else, especially your club mates.

Road relays are competitive, but they are a fun day out for everybody, whatever your ability so don't be put off. Teams will be based on ability as far as is practicable.