Sat 25 Jan 2020, Bedale The Northern cross country championships, organised by Northern Athletics, took place at a brand new venue, the Camp Hill Estate, near Bedale in North Yorkshire. The races were on a mix of terrain, from flatter grass to rolling undulations. On the longer lap which wasn`t used for the younger age groups, there were forest rides that were very muddy and energy sapping. Overall the courses were well designed and the day went smoothly for all. The under 20

The passing of Bob Welfare in October 2019 after a short illness was a shock to every member of Preston Harriers, who he had worked non-stop with since joining 37 years ago. Bob faced his illness with tremendous courage and spent his final weeks offering advice to many of club’s officials and athletes. He also made it clear that if members wished to donate to charity in recognition of his work, they should make it to Macmillan Cancer Support. The club set up a ‘Just Giving’ p

Sat 22 Feb 2020, Nottingham The entry list for the National CC Championship at Wollatton Park, Nottingham is now closed. Only those who have pre-entered can run.

Sun 19 Jan 2020, Helsby This popular and well-organised race round undulating rural roads in Cheshire had double significance for members of Preston Harriers this year. Not only was it a counting race in the club’s road running championships, it was also a qualifying event for the English masters team at the England v Celtic Match, to be held within the Fleet half marathon on Sunday 15th March. The top 4 eligible runners in each five year age band were guaranteed selection, s

Sat 8 Feb 2020, Blackpool Venue: Lawson’s Showground, East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9RT Directions: Take Exit 4 off the M55, towards Blackpool/North Shore. Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Preston New Road (A583) towards Blackpool. 2.1 miles. Turn right onto South Park Drive (signposted for Blackpool Zoo). At mini roundabout take the 2nd exit, 0.6miles. Parking on the Lawsons Field site will be reserved for officials and marshals and one member from each club bringing

Sat 11 Jan 2020, Towneley Park, Burnley There were large fields in all age groups for the fourth Mid Lancs League cross country match of the season, held at Towneley Park in Burnley. The blustery wind made it feel cold despite the mild temperatures, but the heavy rain which had threatened all day held off until the last runners had finished and the club tents were being taken down. In the junior age groups, the outstanding performance for Preston Harriers came from Eddie Chan

Northern Athletics Mens 12 Stage & Womens 6 Stage Relay Sun 22 March 2020, Birkenhead Park Athletics is at its heart an individual sport, road running in particular. All athletes have their own individual aspirations and interests. However occasionally, an opportunity to compete as a team on the roads presents itself and in 2020 the first of these events is the highly prestigious Northern Athletics 12 & 6 stage road relays, on March 22nd. For those who are not familiar with t

Sat 4 Jan 2020, Blackburn The annual Lancashire cross country championships, which were once again held at Witton Park, Blackburn, are always keenly looked forward to, and allow runners to compete for Lancashire medals across the categories and the chance to be selected by finishing places for Lancashire at the 2020 Inter Counties Championships at Loughborough in early March. Harriers had a good day, with early success being Eddie Chandlers` 2nd place in the u11 boys. Lewis T

Tue 31 Dec 2019, Haworth There are a number of races that mark the end of the fell running year, and one of the most popular is the Auld Lang Syne race, over 6.7 miles and 1000 feet of ascent, across the moors above Haworth to the boggy flat terrain of Delf Hill. There were 364 finishers, led home by Mark Buckingham of Holmfirth Harriers in 40.31 and 2nd was Michael Cayton of Ribble Valley in 40.44. The ladies’ winner was Hatti Archer, Dark Peak, in 46.19 a GB international a

Sun 5 Jan 2020, Manchester The first Track and Field action of the new year saw twenty Harriers checking out current form and as a few got pbs and others were quite close it looked like the hard winter work was paying off. In the 60m sprint Curtis Mitchell was one who got a new pb with a 7.09sec time. Daniel Shuttleworth (U17M) posted 7.92, Alexander Halliwell (U15B) 8.43 and Lucy Fyffe (U17W) 8.48sec. The 200m saw William Walmesley (U17M) post 24.43sec, Lucy Poole (U15W) 26

Sun 8 Dec 2019, Lisbon, Portugal A total of 602 athletes, representing 40 countries, were declared for the European Cross Country Championships and Harrier Patrick Dever was part of the Great Britain senior men`s team that won a team gold at the Championships in Lisbon, Portugal last Sunday. On a clear day, with temperatures around 16 degrees, and in conditions quite unlike typical British cross country weather, the men ran just over 10k. Dever moved up the field throughout t

Sat 11 Jan 2019, Burnley The next Mid Lancs league cross country fixture is on Saturday 11th January at Towneley Park, Burnley, BB11 3RQ. Usual Directions M65 to junc 9 and take the A679 for Halifax. In about a mile, turn right on the A646. Warning! It’s here that some road works are meant to be happening, so please allow extra time for the journey. After about 2.5m turn left at traffic lights onto the A671 and drop diwn towards Towneley Park. Entrance at the bottom of the hi

Sun 29 Dec 2019, Clitheroe This increasingly popular race, besides being the Northern Athletics 10k Championship, attracts runners from all over the country creating a very competitive field. The runners were fortunate to have a day with almost perfect conditions for a fast run. Although an undulating course there was little wind, it wasn’t too cold, and the roads were dry. It is always busy around the Roefield Leisure Centre on race day and with a sold out entry of 1500 run

Sat 30 Nov 2019, Barrowford Several Harriers travelled east to compete in the high-class Podium 5k race, on what some described as an ice rink. Despite this, in the A race, four Harriers broke the 16 minute barrier: Kian Davis (15:08), Max Cunningham (15:29), Jack Dee-Ingham (15:39) and Byron Sowerby (15:56), whilst Matthew Fazakerley (16:19) and Alex Kerfoot (17:41) also ran fantastic times. Following up in the B race were Thomas Chadwick (18:53), Louie Jack Clark (19:09) an

Sun 15 Dec 2019, Haworth Snow had fallen on the moors and roads above Haworth last Sunday, and the Stoop Fell Race took place from Penistone Country Park to a backdrop of snow-draped hills and clear views. It was a bitterly cold day, with a raw wind and many of the runners decided to run in jackets to keep out the cold. Usually, there are several harriers who venture across to this trot across the soggy moors to Oxenhope Stoop, but only Steve Bamber who finished 75th out of 1

Sat 30 Nov 2019, Salwick, Preston A cold and icy start left many Harriers looking in trepidation as to whether the event would take place. Gritters out early doors ensured it would! So over to the start for the immensely popular local race which now has two runnings per year due to demand. 12 Harriers competed with some impressive performances. 1st through the finish was Lee Foley on his return back from a seasonal sabbatical. Running close to his best form he took 17th pla

Sun 1 Dec 2019, Valencia, Spain With Tokyo 2020 on the horizon, some of world’s top athletes headed to Spain to compete at the Valencia marathon, which is known to be one of the fastest around. Amongst them was Preston Harriers’ own Eleanor Whyman-Davis. Making the most of the warm winter conditions, the Helen Clitheroe trained athlete put in a stunning performance to shatter the club’s women’s marathon record, which has stood since 1987, and come close to making the Olympic

Sat 23 Nov 2019, Sefton Park, Liverpool Over the years, the Liverpool cross country challenge event at Sefton Park, which incorporates the Mid Lancs League and the Liverpool and District League, has grown in stature and is one that is always eagerly anticipated. The event also included the European Cross Country Championship trials at u20, u23 and seniors for the Great Britain team in Portugal next month. So there is the opportunity, each year, to see and race against some to