Thur 28 June 2019, Blackburn The very popular Witton Park relays in Blackburn returned last week after a year`s absence. On a beautiful sunny evening 133 teams of three runners each massed on the field in preparation for their own leg of 3.65k and a 150m climb to the top of Billinge Woods and back to the main field. The terrain was a mix of grass and hard trail, whilst care had to be taken to avoid raised tree roots through the wooded area. With the ground dry it made for some fast times but the attraction of the event is that it’s for all, and there were a large number of juniors taking part too.
Preston men’s B team finished a very good 14th – the A team were missing one runner and didn`t compete sadly. Simon Robinson took leg 1 and finished in 17.30. Alex Venables on leg 2 posted 17.07 and Andy Whaley was very quick in 16.54 and amongst the top 30 on the night. The men’s C team were 41st, with runs from Lee Foley (17.34), late replacement Billy Johnstone (18.40) and Steve Hallas (19.11). The ladies A group finished a very creditable 7th ladies team and were led by Emma Essex-Crosby in 21.26, then Katey Markland (19.29) and Eleanor Parker (21.20). The B team had an overall time of 70:30 and included Vicki Sherrington (23.21), Olga Wiggins (24.58) and Libby Bryan (22.11). The C team were Julie Tyrer (25.06), Alex Proffitt (30.43) and Sue Wickham (31.16) The overall winners were the Horwich Young Guns who won from a Horwich vets outfit by over a minute, in 44.19. The course record is 43.20 and goes back to 2015 also set by Horwich. First ladies were Chorley Juniors.