Message from Wesham Road Runners regarding the Inter Club Race on Monday 18th July 2016:

Due to circumstances beyond the control of the event organizers, signage was tampered with shortly before the race started. This naturally lead to confusion and as a result the first 110 runners unfortunately went the wrong way. This made it impossible to have a fair and honest result to all that took part whether they ran the correct route or short route.
We at Wesham have made the difficult decision to call the Wesham Interclub of 2016 null and void.
I hope you can understand why we have made this decision and we can move swiftly on and keep the good spirit of the Interclub going. Alan and Greg will post last night's finishing times.
Many Thanks
Lee Barlow(Chairperson)
Steve Gore(Race Director)
Alan Hudson(Result Co-ordinator)

Finish Times

The Sedbergh Sports fell race is a short, steep and fast fell race of just 5.6k and this year it was both an English and British counter in the fell running championships,
Conditions were dreadful, with early rain turning to gusty winds and thick hill fog enveloping the lesser heights of both hills on the course, Knott and Sickers Fell. The descent of Sickers Fell was so steep and slippery that many runners had to slow down. The ladies went first at 2.30pm and Nichola Jackson was an excellent 4th in 30.59. Victoria Wilkinson of Bingley Harriers won in 29.05. Despite the weather, the top eight were all inside the old record of 31.28.
There were 232 in the mens race and Michael McLoughlin finished in 38.57, with a rueful smile at the end because of the quad thumping descent.

The ambition of many athletes is to be selected to represent Lancashire County at the English Schools Track & Field Championships, which this year were held at Gateshead's International Stadium. This feast of Athletics is unrivalled in the world with 2000 athletes gathering to battle for championship honours. 14 Preston Harriers athletes made the selection criteria to join the Lancashire County team. Sam Gaskell struck Silver with a throw of 53.18m in the junior boys’ hammer. Charlotte Crook ran a personal best of 2.12.61 to finish 5th in the final of the intermediate girls 800m. Michael Fisher set a new personal best to finish 8th in the junior boys 200m final with 23.64. Senior boy Alex Marsden’s mark of 11.27 was a p.b. in the semi final of the boys senior 100m.

Preston Harriers Seniors had a great team result in winning the 3rd match at Ellesmere Port by just 13 points from Wakefield to move up to second position in the league. With the final match next month at Blackburn, Harriers can take the title if they manage to win that match and Wakefield come no higher than third.
Team spirit was high with all athletes willing to give their all. With Harriers’ second thrower caught in a traffic jam OAP coach Peter Warden stepped up to throw the hammer in the first event. Peter, an international hurdler 40 odd years ago, made his throwing début which inspired his team mates to record some outstanding performances.

The Skiddaw fell race is a classic Lakeland up and down race, with both men’s and ladies’ records that have lasted over 25 years.
The climb is 2,700 feet to the top of Skiddaw at 3,054 feet and a distance of 9 miles. This year’s race included the uphill England trial for the Home International on the 30th July. Nichola Jackson was 6th lady to the top, and her fast descending speed won her the race in 1:24.56. Tony Livesey had a strong run, finishing in 1:28.48 and 55th position.

Six Preston Harriers made the trip up to Bowness on Sunday for the scenic Windermere Triathlon. The race involves a 1.5k open water swim followed by a 43k undulating bike circuit of the lake and rounds off with a 10k run around the paths of Bowness. Kevin Hunt led the Harriers challenge home in a fine 2hrs 35 minutes for 27th place overall, next in was the ever improving Billy Johnstone in 2:37 with Steve Needham (2:44), Chris Wales (2:52), Steve Townhill (2:55) & Michael Brennand (3:14) all finishing well in the famous club colours.

It was the annual Lostock Hall Carnival 5K last Saturday with the fast, flat closed road course proving popular with local runners chasing fast times. Despite the blustery conditions, Salford Harrier David Rigby took the win in a fine 15:35 from Horwich RMI's Gareth Booth in 16:31 and Preston Harrier Gary Pennington rounding out the top three in a season’s best 16:35. There were further season’s bests from Preston Harriers’ Stephen Bonsu (19:45) and Victoria Duckett (21:37 & 2nd Lady). Dominic Moon was also on the pace finishing in 19:54, roared on by the ever enthusiastic Carnival crowd. Victoria Duckett's father Alan Littler took the Vet 70 prize with an impressive 23:56.

New running fitness group, every Tuesday 6.30pm, Moor Park for adults. Free session all abilities. Click on the link to the flyer for full details.