We start this weeks report on Blackburn Harriers activities with Throws. Matthew Heywood was out in his first outdoor Hammer competition of the season and finished in 2nd spot after throwing a distance of 50.58m. Speaking to the Club, Matthew told us about the event  “My first outdoor comp of the year. Pretty pleased with how I threw. Opened on a 50.58m which is the best I’ve ever done with the men’s Hammer, 2nd place finish and a lot to show. Missing some key technical components and some sleep due to an early bus ride to get there so overall very pleased and excited to see what the season brings“. (Matthew’s Video)

Over the same weekend, one of Blackburn Harriers Throws Coaches – Tony Balko – was competing in the British Masters T&F Championships in Oxford and had a very good weekend. Tony won two Silver Medals – in the Hammer with a throw of 37.72m and in the Shot with a Putt of 10.98m and finished off the Championships with a Discus throw of 28.69m. Commenting after the event Tony said that it was a “Great day at the British Masters Winter Throws 2026 in Oxford! First comp of the season and it delivered a few surprises – M60 Hammer – 37.72m and  M60 Shot – 10.98m. Too many fouls overall, so that’s the big focus heading into competition-mode training. Always brilliant catching up with the masters throwing crew, and huge thanks to the officials for all their work”. (RESULTS)

Tony Balko

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Catching up with other races, the first of which was run a week ago. The Trafford 10k took place on Sunday March 1st with Blackburn Harriers Paul Bradshaw and Chris Davies both taking part. (RESULTS). The race was won by Cambuslang Harriers Kevin Campbell in 28.49 from Falkirk’s Scott Stirling in 2nd (29.29) and Derby’s David Bishop in 3rd place (29.24). Paul was agonisingly close to a new personal best for 10k as he came home in a time of 33.25 (136th) whilst V45 Chris ran 36.34 in 268th spot. On the same weekend, Daniel Bebbington and Andy Benson were out at the Longton 10k featuring over 250 runners. It was Daniel’s first road race since September 2025 and Andy’s first road race since July 2025. Proved to be a very good return to racing for both of them – Daniel taking the win in a time of 31.31 which was over a minute up on 2nd place whilst Andy came home in 6th place running 34.35. (RESULTS)

Paul Bradshaw (Phot courtesy of Mick Hall Photography)

Chris Davies (2661) (Photo courtesy of Mick Hall Photgraphy)

Blackburn Harriers Stephen Hall, Marc Hartley and Gary Pearse took on the Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round race run on Saturday March 7th along with some 200 other runners. Stephen is training for this years Three Peaks race and this race was part of his preparation, Stephen placing 16th in a time of 73.37 and was also 3rd V50 in his age category whilst team mate Marc finished in 22nd spot running 75. 05 along with V60 Gary placing 90th in a time of 1hr 31.13.  After the race, Stephen told the Club that though “Not my strongest run, but all part of training for the three peaks. Great conditions and a thoroughly enjoyable race“. (RESULTS).

Stephen Hall

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Down in Nottingham, at Wollaton Park, Saturday March 7th saw huge numbers of athletes taking part in the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships, the event being the 100th time it had been held – a rain free day and some great racing made sure that the Centenary went ahead without a hitch. Lancashire didn’t win any medals on the day but that wasn’t for the want of effort by all those who had been selected to compete for the County. Team Results the U13 Girls placing 11th out of 41 counties; U13 Boys 20th out of 41; U15 Girls 10th out of 43; U15 Boys 19th out of 41; U17 Women 10th out of 38; U17 Men 25th out of 39; an incomplete team in the U20 Women’s race with just 16 complete teams; U20 Men 22nd out of 23 complete teams; Senior Women 5th out of 32 complete teams; Senior Men 7th out of 35 teams. (RESULTS)

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Blackburn Harriers athletes were among all the age groups with one of the runs of the day coming in the U13 Girls race –Georgia Brambles taking 8th place out of 316 runners and 1st Lancashire counter alongside Lily-Mae Newton taking 84th spot and 3rd counter. Thomas Stewart had a good race in the U13 Boys placing 54th overall and 1st Lancashire counter. Millie Jordan was 2nd counter for Lancashire in the U15 Girls race, placing 45th with the team coming home in 10th whilst in the U15 Boys race Benedict Raby came home in 144th spot and 4th counter for Lancashire. Emma Robertshaw and Lottie Hesketh ran in the U17 Women’s team – Emma placing 103rd and 4th counter alongside Lottie in 126th spot. The U17 Men’s race had five Blackburn Harriers – Jack Wood (100th) and 1st Lancashire counter, Henry Ward (110th) and 2nd counter, Theo Robinson (148th) and 4th counter with team mates Max Winstanley in 168th spot and Max Belshaw in 247th place. The Junior Women’s team only had three athletes which saw Freya Neild come home as 1st counter in 45th place followed by Holly Moffat taking the 2nd counter spot in 107th. Ethan Cutler took the 4th counting spot for Lancashire as he came home in 149th position. The Senior Women had the best team result of the day placing 5th in the team race with Blackburn Harriers Louisa Powell-Smith coming home as 4th counter in 59th spot alongside Maddie Elliott in 95th place. The Senior Men also had a good race placing 7th overall which saw Ross Harrison lead the team home in 23rd place and 1st counter for the team.

Lancashire Senior Women L-R Jamie Robinson – Santa Rumniece – Sarah Thorne – Louisa Powell-Smith – Beth Reid – Emily Simm – Maddie Elliott

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Blackburn Harriers Leah Hoole took part in the Rivington Duathlon at the weekend in the solo event. (RESULTS). Leah’s total time of 2hr 05.25 comprised a time of 25.02 for the first run, 1hr 11.12 for the bike ride and 27.10 for the second run which gave her a fine 2nd place in the Women’s race and 14th overall. Anton Krige also took part in the race posting a combined time of 2hr 14 38 which gave him the 3rd V50 place and 23rd overall (Run 1 = 29.01); (Bike ride = 1hr 11.30); (2nd Run = 30.10).

Leah Hoole

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As the saying goes, wine gets better with age, well you have got to say this about Helen Leigh as a V40 she has retained that unconquerable quality of giving it everything in every race that she does, and gets the rewards. Her latest outing came at the Inverness Half-Marathon which was also hosting the Scottish Championships. Helen placed 2nd in the Women’s race and 2nd FV40 Race with a new PB time of 79.08. Later in speaking to the Club, Helen told us about the day “Inverness Half and Scottish Half Marathon Champs… 5th Woman (2nd v40), 98th out of 5000 and a huge pb of 1.19.08. I’m a total amateur at road racing so just trusted the training and race plan and felt so good. Ran a negative split after taking the first hilly half steady, then put my foot down and reeled in ten lasses over the second half. The last 1.5miles into a headwind was torture, but so chuffed with this performance. 2nd Team too“. (RESULTS)

Helen Leigh – Cat Fraser

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