This years Championships saw the highest County Entry so far. The sun certainly shone on the athletes and made for very hard racing in stifling conditions. Richard Taylor who was the main organiser on the day paid tribute to all the Harriers volunteers who came out to Marshal and Officiate at the event saying “Thank you to everyone for the great support that you gave to the hosting of the 2014 Inter Counties Fell Championships. At a time when we have 4 Track and Field Leagues to sustain, as well as providing support to the Lancashire AA and Lancashire Schools Track and Field Champs and Combined Events Champs, it is a credit to the club that we can continue to put on events like this, which are great for our own athletes, but also looking after the wider interests of the sport”.

Presenting the Medals on the day was legendary Fell Runner – Harry Walker three times winner of the Three Peaks. In this photo from L – R there are other legends of the sport too, with another legend in Endurance running John Calvert, George Kirby (President of Blackburn Harriers and his wife Marian) and Harry Walker.

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Full Results HERE

(Photo’s Courtesy of www.woodentops.org)

Watch Race Video HERE

In the U16 Women’s Race, Liz Greenwood, competing for Lancashire took the Silver Medal in a time of 28.00 and was selected to run for England at the 9th WMRA International Youth Cup in Arco di Trento, Italy on June 29th. Two other Harriers running for Lancashire – Grace Handley, suffering from sunstroke from the day before finished in 31.05 and Megan Clarkson came in at 31.26. Meanwhile, Kelsey Rutherford racing for Lancashire featured in the U18 Women’s Race, finishing 9th in 30.30. Liz and Grace counted together to earn a Bronze Medal for Lancashire. Rebecca Flannagan and Mary Hodgson combined to earn Bronze for Lancashire.

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10372286_594129490701079_8157673230243694201_nA second England vest for a member of the Harriers was won by Jack Hindle in the U18 Men’s Race, who like Liz, will compete at the 9th WMRA International Youth Cup in Arco di Trento, Italy on June 29th. He was 8th overall and second Lancashire Counter in 24.53 – just six seconds behind the first Lancashire runner, Jacob Boyle. Both Jack and Jacob brought Lancashire home into Bronze Medal position in the County Championships as well. In the Open Race, Joe Campbell came in solidly in 13th place (26.39).

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DSC_0266 In the Senior Women’s Race – won very impressively by Sarah Tunstall running for Cumbria in (43.56) – Helen Leigh ran for Lancashire and finished 24th overall in the 57 strong field (50.58).

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There was some real quality running in the Men’s Senior Race – 13k long – with Shaun Dixon of Middlesex coming home impressively to win the Race in 53.24. Yorkshire runner Tom Addison took second place in 53.55 and another Middlesex runner, Chris Smith, took third place  (54.17). The Lancashire Team of Gary Priestley, Tom Cornthwaite and Rob Hope won the Silver Medal in Team Category, being beaten by Middlesex by just one point!!

Gary capped off a really good day with news later in the week that he had been selected to run for the England team in the Great Trail Challenge and Home International races in June.

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Gary, who runs second claim for Blackburn on the Track as does Tom finished 4th (55.20) and 9th (56.30) respectively. Another second claim Track runner for the Harriers – Josh Tighe – placed 15th 57.41) whilst in the Open Race, Chris Davies placed 70th (68.50) and Ian Clarkson 95th (88.47).

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