Deva Triathlon – Sunday 12th June
After his great performance in the Ironman (Lanzarote) recently, Brian Fogarty was out again, this time in the Middle Distance Triathlon at Chester and what a great result for him. Brian placed 2nd overall out of 221 athletes in a time of 3hrs 55.33 – just 43 seconds behind the winner to confirm his excellent form. Brian was also first in his age category (30 – 34) and on the Bike section he was over six minutes faster than anyone else in the field. Brian’s Race details HERE.
Confirmation of his standing can be seen in the National Ironman Rankings for 2016 in Britain in the Male 30 – 34 Age Group Category in which, Brian is Number One. After the event, Brian spoke to the Harriers and said “Chester ½ Ironman was always going to be a good marker to see where my form was after Ironman Lanzarote only 3 weeks prior. No real pressure as I have 2 much more important races in 2 weeks and 5 weeks. The race was exceptionally well organised and on race morning I was feeling good and felt ready to mix it with a few top names who really specialise in this shorter distance. I came out the swim in the 2nd pack a few minutes down on the Lead guys. I was happy with this and felt confident I could make up the deficit on the bike. After 1 lap I took the lead, I decided to push on and make as big a lead I could going into the run. I had about 2 minutes lead but unfortunately I was gradually caught and passed at around 8 mile. I tried to go with the leader but I couldn’t hold on. In the end I was satisfied with my race and beaten by the better man on the day. This sets me up nicely for uk 70.3 in 2 weeks where I am confident of a much better performance. I did the race with friend and Sponsor Paul Slone who also had a solid race and more importantly like myself used the race as great prep for the big race in 5 weeks, Ironman UK”.
Also competing in the Deva Triathlon was Paul Slone (45 – 49) who finished in 55th spot with a total time of 4hr 55.42 and came 9th overall in his Age Category. Speaking to the Club after the event, Paul said “Nothing worse than going into a pre arranged event whilst really under the weather. That said it’s surprising how racing ups your game. Had a reasonable 1900 metre swim and a PB on the 55 mile bike by about 6 mins. The run well unfortunately that crucified me but got through the 12.2 mile course eventually but was exhausted and fading every mile. Got 9th in my category overall so quite pleased. Great well organised event”. Paul’s Race details HERE.
Middle Distance RESULTS
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Naden Valley 6 Mulit Terrain Race
V45 Andy Buttery is in good form, having broken a long standing Club Record and returning to the Track in the Northern League, running the 1500m. Some of that track work paid off in his battle for 2nd place in this, his latest race finishing just 7 seconds in front of 3rd place.
Andy enjoyed the Race and the battle telling the Club “I only decided to do the Naden 6 on the morning of the race (basically forgetting all about it, but had seen the Rochdale 3 Day event on Strava the night before). I’ve done it a few times in the past, having won it twice so i know the route well and have good memories. Despite knowing the route well I still managed to take a wrong turn at one point on the first lap losing a few seconds, however it didn’t affect my finishing position (though it made things harder for me!)
The course is mainly 3 laps up and around fields and through woods, so it feels a little like a cross country without the mud. It does have some short road segments, which I like, so it’s a true multi-terrain. The first mile is fast running before hitting the lap section and at that point there were 3 of us out front together. Not long after Callum Davidson (Rossendale) pulled away and would go on to win by almost two minutes. It left me to battle for 2nd with another Rossendale Harrier, Anthony Dalton. After I opened an initial gap of about 15secs on lap 1, Anthony caught me and moved into 2nd holding a gap of about 20secs through most of laps 2 and 3. With about a 1k to go I seemed to be gaining a little back on the faster road section and gave it everything, managing to catch Anthony with about 400m to go. I was surprised I could push on after we raced the last little climb together up through a wooded section where I got away to take 2nd place… suffering in the 1500m has its benefits!”
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2 Towers Fell Race – Wednesday 8th June
Bryan Searby has been out on the Fells recently and continued this week with a run in the Two Towers Fell Race where he finished 63rd in a field of 73 runners and in a time of 52.38.
Bryan commented afterwards “Holcombe Two Towers fell race this evening. Well what a tough little race. Starts in the woods and straight into the climbs.The final descent is like taking your life in your hands straight down a soil banking. Enjoyed it though.very hot again, 4 miles with over 1300ft”.
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Park Run Results
It was a new PB for young Oliver Gill this week at the Preston Park run – RESULTS – when he finished 65th out of 288 runners in a new PB time of 24.28 and he is only 8yrs old!!
Next up for a new PB from the Junior Endurance Group was 12yr old Ethan Barbarewicz at the Cuerden Valley Park Run – RESULTS – where he finished 10th overall out of 186 runners and 2nd Junior boy (11 – 14yrs) in a time of 21.04. Also running in the same Race were Daniel Brown (11 -14) who came home in 32nd place (24.29) and Freya Black (15 – 17) in 83rd spot (29.03).
At Witton Park – RESULTS – there were four Blackburn Harriers having a run out among the eighty three runners turning up on the day. V55 Mike Blacklidge was first home in 11th place (24.30) followed by Leo Gebbie (17th) in a time of 25.13, V50 Ian Clarkson (28th) in 26.55 and young Emily Snape (11 – 14yrs) in 33rd with a time of 28.06 which was just seven seconds outside her PB.
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