Sun 5 May 2019, Accrington Race number 3 of the Preston Harriers Junior Fell Championship saw 5 athletes compete in the Great Hameldon Hill race on Sunday 5th May. The weather conditions in Accrington were dry, overcast and cool, perfect for fell running. Lucas Cooke in the under 11 race put in a great effort to finish 14th in the boys category in a time of 14:43min. The ever improving Hayden Ridgley ran another excellent race finishing 15th in 12:09min and extending his overall lead in the Harriers under 13 boys Championship category. Performance of the day went to Vladimir Wiggins, who ran a brilliant race in the under 15 category in a time of 14:23min, claiming 3rd place and a podium finish. The under 15 girls section was concluded by Emily Knell, who ran a tremendous race to finish in 5th place, just outside medal contention by only 37 seconds in a time of 16:01min. This was closely followed by a fine, gutsy display by Grace Horne, finishing 11th in a time of 20:08min, despite sustaining an injury en route. Well done to all the junior Preston athletes on their performances on the day. The next race in the Championship series is Hutton Roof on Saturday 25th May.
The senior race saw Gethin Butler storm to a 6th place overall finish and win the male vet 50 category in an impressive time of 40:34min and Olga Wiggins who continues to make giant strides in her fell performances, with an excellent run in a time of 1:05:22, knocking 5 minutes off her personal best time from last year.