In 2022 Blackburn Harriers Matt Ramsden was selected to race for England at the Europa Road Race Under 20 – Trofeo Opitergium over 10k and had a very fine run to finish 2nd in the race, taking the Silver Medal – just 3 seconds behind the winner. Matt won selection again for England, this time as an U23 at the European U23 Road Race – Corsa di Castelli – in Italy on Sunday October 20th. The Men’s team placed 3rd on the Podium whilst the Women’s team won Gold. William Aitken was the first English counter in 5th (31.46), Matt was 2nd counter in 7th place overall (31.56), Jospeph O’Connell came 11th and 3rd counter (32.03) and Brandon Quinton ran 32.34 in 19th. The first three athletes for each country counted but all four got medals with the Engalnd Men’s team taking Team Bronze behind the winners France with Italy in 2nd. The race was characterised by a massive hill at the end which made sure that none of the athletes were posting new personal best!. Matt spoke to the Harriers after the race and was pleased about how it went, telling us “The race started off very cagey and was a slow start going through 3km in 10:07. I think every runner was being careful not to overdo it before the tough final stage of the race but we eventually got up to speed. The final km was one of the toughest I have ever faced but it made for an interesting finish. It was a great experience to put the England vest on again and a proud moment for myself. Happy with 7th place and 3rd team against some quality opposition.“

Matt Ramsden

England Men’s Team

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From road racing to triathlons as two Blackburn Harriers – Jack Hindle and Jonny Murphy – competed in the 70.3 races recently. 2024 has seen Jack become a professional, an ambition richly deserved and not without a massive amount of dedication and work. Jack competed at the Challenge Peguera Mallorca 2024 finishing 31st overall with a combined time of 3hr.55.40 – the winner Tom Hug posting 3hr 44.25. Been a tough first year for Jack but he was upbeat asnd very determined as he commented later “My first full year as a professional! It’s been far from the year I had anticipated and planned for! A lengthy time sidelined due to an accident and injuries sustained, illness at times I really didn’t want, and generally a tough year!I never thought I’d admit that at one point this year, I just wanted to give it all up! But if years of experience has taught me anything, don’t give up on your dreams. I wouldn’t have done justice to the Jack that worked all those years to get here! Time 3.55.40 (Distance PB), 1.15hr run off a 2.10 bike.I don’t make excuses when it comes to racing, but when you have a handlebar failure and you can’t ride in the TT position on a course like this for 30k, times going to be lost and a lot of it! So I’m going to say there was a much faster performance in there! BUT, I’m delighted with how this one felt and my performance. One piece of advice I’d give…..As hard as it gets, never give up and always remember how far you’ve come!,Thank you to everyone who’s supported me this year! I’ll be back on 2025, stronger, fitter but more importantly healthier than before

Jack Hindle

Jonny Murphy was in another country racing his 70.3 – in Croatia  – Ironman 70.3 Porec – featuring a 1900m Swim, 90k Bike Ride and Half Marathon run. Over 1100 competitiors in tbhis event which saw Jonny come home with a combined time of 4hr 47.04 – 64th in his age category (35-39) and 452nd overall. (Finishing Video)

Jonny coming in to the finish

The Autumn Breaker 10k was held at Blackpool on Suinday October 20th – won by Liverpool’s Ethan Dunn in 34.21.44 with Accrington’s Chris Walton in 2nd (37.04.44) and Mossley Hill athlete James Boardman in 3rd ( 37.52.34). Blackburn Harriers V35 Ella Green had a good day finishing in 4th place in the Women’s race and first V35 with a new PB time of 45.23.61.

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