The Chipping Show fell race is organised by Preston Harriers and is expertly co-ordinated by Joe Howard. The team of helpers once again demonstrated their usual skilled approach, from dealing with entries at the showground, the setting out of the tape for the key turns on the course and by marshalling in strategic locations on the road and on the fells.
It was a very humid day, without much wind, which made it a tough race for the competitors. The late morning hill fog slowly cleared from the highest ground, leaving good views in all directions. It was so still that the showground loudspeaker system could be heard on the fells, along with the call for the runners to assemble for what was the 2pm start.
The race is 12.1k with 549 metres of climb, and it has some sharp pulls too; not least after the descent of Fair Snape when runners have to haul themselves up the steep, trackless north-west slopes of Parlick.

The race was won by Mark Burton of Pennine in 63.13, although he hadn`t led at the summit and was behind the leader, Danny Hope of Horwich who finished 2nd in 65.07. Nichola Jackson of Preston Harriers was 1st lady, and 16th overall, in 1:16.37. She just missed out on the glory of finishing on the show field as the winning beasts were ready to start their parade , so she and later runners had to use the alternative finish behind the president’s tent.
The other two Harriers who ran were Lindsey Berends (5th lady in 1:30.39) and Pete Carter, (1:39.02) who did feel the heat and was glad of the post-race hose-down to cool off! 55 athletes took part in the race.
The course had been flagged by Brian Dearnaley and Joe Howard on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning and there were over 20 members of Preston Harriers and friends marshalling to make the race run smoothly. They and the landowners were thanked by organiser Joe Howard.