It has been a busy racing period for Joanne Nelson recently, who is in training for the Liverpool Marathon in May, which she has previously won. One week after running the Northern Road Relays at Birkenhead Joanne went up to run the Conistion 14 (March 30th) finishing 106th in 1hr 37.06 which was the week before running a Leg at the National Road Relays. Fellow Harrier – Paul Brindle – also ran the race placing 19th overall in 1hr 24.53 (RESULTS).
Joanne’s latest race saw her tackle a 20 miler which was part of a series of races covering 5k, 10k, Half-Marathon, 20 miles and a Marathon on the same day, which is one way of spending your Sunday! Joanne won with a time of 2hr 25.30 with another Blackburn Harrier – Janine Fallon – coming home in 2nd clocking 2hr 33.52, making it a 1/2 for the Club.
Afterwards, Joanne told the Harriers about the day saying “Janine and I decided to have a go at “it’s grim up north” organised 20 miler in Cleckheaton for marathon preparation. It’s a newly organised event this year and the second race I have run which has been organised by this group.
The race was a 5 mile out and back repeated; so not too great if you are tired after 10 miles!!
Miles 1-5 and 10-15 are slightly downhill which means miles 6-10 and 16-20 are slightly uphill.
The event included many races, not just the 20 miler, but also 5k, 10k, 10 miles, half marathon, marathon and an ultra marathon. It’s fair to say that it was absolutely freezing and we were both happy to finish. First and second place secured for Blackburn Harriers ladies and to top it all there was a selection of free cakes, a choice between free beer, cider or lager, and a medal and trophy.
A good day out”.
Joanne Nelson – Janine Fallon
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Northern Masters League – Wednesday April 10th
Tony Balko (V50) has already got a number of competitions under his belt this season, recording a couple of wins at the Spenborough Open in the Hammer (37.83m) and Shot (11.08m). He backed that up at Scunthorpe with another win in the Shot (11.24m and a new PB) and his fourth win in a row, taking the Hammer (37.18). On the 10th April in the Northern Masters League he placed 3rd in the Shot (10.58m) and 2nd in the Hammer with 36.59m). At the Wakefield Open on April 7th, Tony won the Hammer with 37.29m, came 2nd in the Discus (34.31m) and rounded off with another win in the Shot (10.48m).
His latest competition saw him at the Northern Masters League again on April 10th where he placed 3rd out of 7 in the Shot Putt (10.58m), and in the Discus with a throw of 36.59m coming in 2nd. Six Wins, two 2nd and 2 x 3rd places as well as a new PB in the Shot represents a pretty solid start for the 2019 season.
Tony Balko
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Mitja Marato de Pollença (Pollensa Half marathon – Mallorca)
Andrew Knowles is training for a Half-Ironman and as part of his build up he entered this half-marathon in Majorca on Sunday April 14th. He preceded this race with a bike ride in the mountains the day before lasting three hours and still managed to clock 1hr 50.02 in the race following his mountain efforts.
Andrew spoke to the Club about his training weekend saying “The ‘aim’ was to start with tired legs to mimic triathlon race conditions, so the day before I rode over the mountains for 3 hours. Didn’t quite go to plan as I blistered badly having to stop a few times and take my trainers off and sort my feet out. However I felt the objective was achieved as the whole run was on ‘empty’ so perfect training. 10k and 5k’s races also and a brilliant atmosphere, highly recommend”.
Andrew Knowles
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Loughrigg Fell Race – Wednesday April 10th
A wonderful night to race on the Fells for Blackburn Harrier John Horrocks on Wednesday evening as he finished 20th overall clocking 30.02 and tolld us after the Race that “The summer night races begin…4 miles up and down loughrigg starting from the park in Ambleside. A record turn out for the race which made the start to the narrow bridge like a 100m sprint to get a good position for the steep road climb onto the first section of the fell. I was going well in about 15th up to the last steep climb when I started to fade a bit and lose a few places. Around the trig point (some good view but not much chance to enjoy) and straight back down the same way. Managed to get a few places back and descend well for once. Finished 20th in a time of 30:02. Definitely be doing this one again!”
Loughrigg Fell Race Video
(Photo courtesy of Stephen Wilson)
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Three Bridges 10k – Sunday April 14th
Paul Jeffries (V40) went into this race – featuring some 300 runners, won in a time of 33.47 (Campbell Ross) – with a personal best time of 40.51 set at the Pilling 10k in 2018. In this race, Paul came across the line in 25th place, clocking 40.41 for a ten second new PB. After the race, Paul reflected on his current form and the race itself saying “the Three Bridges is a race i have done a few times before. I have been getting a lot of advice and support at the club and i am enjoying my running a lot more. Last year i found it tough going in this race finishing with a time of 46:58, which was a slight improvement on the previous years 48:45. I feel i have benefited in a lot of ways by taking part in team events like the road relays and mid lancs xc, and by listening to all the advice given freely at the club. So today i had another crack at the course and came in 25th place in 40:41 which i think is a new pb for me, i have trained a lot more but i couldn’t of done it without the support of clubmates and coaches, many thanks”.
Many thanks to Paul for being part of the Club and we look forward to more new personal best times in the year ahead from him.
Paul Jeffries
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