Sun 24 Sept 2017
The Run Preston events returned to the city on Sunday 24 September 2017, attracting over 1500 runners of all ages. Preston Harriers was well represented with a sea of blue vests out on the courses. The weather remained dry as the 10k race got underway at 9.00am and 31 Harriers runners set off from the city centre. The 10k race was won by David Rigby (Salford Harriers, 32:29) closely followed by Andy Benson who was the first Harrier over the line, finishing in second position (32:43). Gary Pennington finished in 4th place (34:38), followed by Dougie Potter 57th (40:52), Peter Cowling 62nd (41:16), Darren Kinder 94th (43:18), Steve Boardman (44:03), Andrew Tranter (44:16), Greg O’Brien (45:03), Russell Codd (45:35), Ashraf M Kazee (46:11), Daniel Higgins (47:43), Phil Davies (47:48), Robert Watson (48:43), Andrew Lea (48:57), Kenny Gawne (49:33), Vince Walker (55:29), David Wakefield (57:47), Harjinder Poonian (1:00:39) and Matthew Gibbs (1:49:06) completing the course with a group of Nordic Walkers.
The first Harriers lady was Sophie Rotherham in 46:41. Running under an hour were Dorothy Parkes in 52:53, Julie Tyrer (57:19), Linda Roberts (57:25) and Angela Tranter (58:21). Also running well were Sinead Sweeney (1:00:12), Sue Wickham (1:00:14), Tracey Magee (1:00:51), Nita Naik (1:07:04), Sarah Clubb (1:07:33), Olga Wiggins (1:07:50), Tracy Young (1:12:42) and Sue Rennie (1:18:56). Well done to Linda Roberts on running 10k under an hour for the first time; great effort by Tracy Magee who was so close to the hour mark.
Notable veteran age category results: Vet 45 – Gary Pennington (1st), Vet 50 – Peter Cowling (3rd), Vet 60 – Linda Roberts (2nd).
There was healthy Preston Harriers representation in the 5k event, which started at 10.00am, with 16 runners taking part. Crossing the line in first place was Gary Pennington finishing in 17:26, followed in 5th position by Steve Hallas (20:28), Luke Suffolk 34th (23:27), Ashraf M Kazee 48th (23:59), Vladimir Wiggins 50th (24:01), Alan Littler 59th (24:31), Andrew Acklam 71st (25:26) and Andrew Lea 78th (25:52).
First home for the ladies was Emily Knell in 37th place (23:31), with Victoria Duckett 60th (24:31) and Susan Ashcroft hot on her heels in 63rd position (24:49). Well run races also from Anna Lenton 84th (26:16), Kirsty Williams 127th (28:21), Catherine Fletcher 206th (32:13) and Kari Edwards 231st (33:31).
Notable veteran age category results: Vet 40 – Victoria Duckett (1st), Vet 40 – Steve Hallas (2nd), Vet 45 – Gary Pennington (1st), Vet 45 – Andrew Acklam (4th), Vet 50 – Ashraf M Kazee (5th), Vet 55 – Susan Ashcroft (1st), Vet 55 – Catherine Fletcher (4th), Vet 70 – Alan Littler (1st).
In the afternoon, events concluded with a 2k fun run in Avenham Park at 1.00pm. This run was not officially timed; however Benjamin Tyrer, completing his first run as a Junior Harrier, was keen to track his progress, starting his stopwatch as the run got underway! He was pleased with his time of 9:39, chased to the finish line by his mum, Julie, in 9:51.
All events were well supported with friends and family cheering runners on, creating a wonderful atmosphere throughout the day. Photos taken by Sean Sweeney. Sinead Sweeney