A record entry of 147 finishers came to the Horwich Festival of Racing to take part in the annual British Masters 5k road race championships. Many felt that the strong headwind on the long drag up through the town centre made for slow times. Three members of Preston Harriers made the short trip to Horwich to compete against the best masters athletes from all over the country. Kevin Hunt was 42nd overall and 8th MV45 in a time of 17.57. After several months of injury niggles, Kevin Hesketh was pleased to finish 7th MV60 in 19.08, only 25 seconds off a podium place. Marian Hesketh was 2nd WV60 in 21.17.5

Chester hosted the English National Triathlon championships on Sunday 14th June, with two Preston Harriers making the short journey to take part in the Deva triathlon. Fell running ace Nichola Jackson continued her rich vein of form in a different discipline, storming home in 2:21 and the possibility of selection for the European championships in what was her first Olympic distance Triathlon. Also new to this distance and in only his third triathlon, Michael Brennand easily achieved his pre-race target of sub 3hr coming through in 2:55. Over in Coniston two more Harriers took on the tough Coniston standard triathlon, with Kevin Hunt finishing in 2:32 and Billy Johnstone in 2:38.

Five Preston Harriers were amongst the 70 runners who took part in the Catforth 10k last Sunday morning. Race conditions for the distance were almost perfect with cool temperatures and a slight breeze. The race started from Roots Café and looped around the village of Catforth over a slightly undulating route. First Harrier home was Andrew Benson, finishing 2nd with a time of 34 min 14sec, closely followed by Jason Parker who finished 4th in 34.29. Completing the Harriers line-up were Peter Cowling (12th in 39.39), Stephen Mort (19th in 42.36) and the ever improving Sue Wickham (62nd in 60.03). The race was won by Jon Fletcher of Border Harriers in 33.55.

On arriving Tom Booth was in full swing in the pole vault competition. It was starting to get exciting, down to the final three, with Tom jumping a PB of 4.80, winning bronze. Now the sun was starting to shine and the events were coming thick and fast. Next up was the high jump with Curtis Mitchell coming third, winning a bronze, then a quick run to the other side to watch the women's heats in the 100 metres which saw the return of Sasha Bryom; it was nice to see her back in a Harriers vest. Then straight back across to the triple jump where Amy Lupton was pushing herself. While Amy was completing the triple jump it was back to the track for the senior men's 110m hurdles, with another bronze medal and a PB for Curtis Mitchell. Then all focus turned back to the pole vault with Jess Swannack starting the long process and getting herself a silver, doing really well with fellow jumper Ava McGuckian. Also pushing herself hard was Hannah Lupton, doing well in the senior women's long jump. Back on the track Symon Woan was driving hard in the men's 200 metres final , Rachael Scott won a silver in the women's 800 metres, with Daniel Neal pushing himself in the men’s 800, and keeping with the track Patrick Dever won gold in the men’s 5000 metres. On the whole it was a good day for Preston Harriers, with the weather being good to us as well. Well done everyone.

The Durisdeer fell race is from a small hamlet in the Lowther hills in Southern Scotland and normally attracts around thirty runners. This year, with it being one in the series of British Championship races, nearly 300 ran! The race was 14.7k with 1,240m of climbing and there was a steep uphill to get the race underway and the field spread out.
Nichola Jackson continued her fine season by finishing seventh lady and first under 23 in 1:48.28. Local knowledge came to the fore too as the individual winners were both from Scotland; Tom Owens of Shettleston Harriers won in 1:25.00 and the ladies winner in a dominant performance, was Jasmine Paris of Carnethy Hill Runners in 1:37.33

Results here

The club are considering putting on some brick sessions over the summer, to cater for the growing interest in duathlon/triathlon within the club. Please contact Mick Brennand at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if of interest. The planned sessions will be at Uclan sports arena and use the bike track and running track with transition next to the cabin. If there is enough interest we may be able to start Wednesday 17th June, as there are a number of members entered into events in July.

Our home road interclub race is at Vernons Sports and Social Club on Wed 10th June - 7.30pm start.
Each club in the series hosts and lays on a post race buffet for hungry runners and helpers. Please bring what you can and as much as you can; sandwiches, sausage rolls, quiches, dinky pies, things on sticks, cakes, flapjacks etc. Kari, Adela and Sue will be arranging all the food on the night and will take your contributions with huge thanks.

The Kirkby Stephen 10k is a small, friendly, well-organised but tough little race. Only 54 runners faced the starter, there were no spectators other than a few cows and sheep, and the roads were quiet if more than a little bit rough. Strong winds and a succession of steep hills on the course made times slow, but the race was most definitely rural and scenic. Harriers’ supervet couple Kevin and Marian Hesketh flew the Preston flag in the race. Kevin was 13th overall and 1st MV60 in 42.30 and Marian was 20th overall and 3rd woman in 47.24.

The Duddon Valley fell race is one of the true Lake District classic fell races and it is known as a “Super Long Category A race.” It is 18 miles with 6,000 feet of climbing and covers all types of terrain, from good paths to open fell where there are several route variations that can be chosen.
The race took place last weekend starting from Seathwaite. It was one of the two long races in this year’s English Championship fell race series and the second one is on the Isle of Man in July.
Conditions were good. It was clear, which meant that navigation was relatively straightforward, although there was a bitingly cold wind across the high fells. Pacing in such a long race is critical; it is all too easy to blast away up the first climbs of Harter Fell and Hard Knott and pay for it in the latter stages as the Dow Crag and Caw ascents exact their payback.
Nichola Jackson had an excellent outing, getting stronger as the race continued, she finished sixth lady and first under 23 in 3hrs 29:40. Catherine Slater did well too, and although the last few hills were harder, she was pleased to finish in 4hrs 11:45. Michael McLoughin was 250th in 4:44.27 and he said afterwards “that was tough!” The overall winner was Rob Hope of Pudsey & Bramley in 2:44.01 and two minutes outside the course record. The ladies’ winner was Sharon Taylor (Helm Hill) in 3:23.26.