Just over 200 runners lined up for this years Preston 10 Mile Road Race which also incorporated the Lancashire & Northern 10 Mile Road Championships – the race being won by Inverclyde’s Adam Craig in a good time of 50.08 with Edinburgh’s John Lenehan in 2nd (51.49) and Vale Royal’s Ben McKintosh in 3rd (53.29).
(Preston 10 Mile Race Results)
Four Blackburn Harriers took part in the race – Nick Gaskell – Stephen Walter – Chris Davies – Matt Nuttall all of whom had entered both the Lancashire and Northern Championships. V50 Nick Gaskell who has been in good form and racing regularly was first home for the Club in 10th place overall with a time of 55.47 which was a new PB by a staggering 43 seconds and a time which gave him the V50 Win as well. Next home for the Club was Stephen Walter who was making his debut over the distance and clocked a fine time of 56.17 in 12th place overall. Chris Davies was just one place further back in 13th position running 56.21 which won him the V45 1st Prize and he was followed by V50 Matt Nuttall (2nd V50 on the day) running 58.01 in 17th place and meant that the four Harriers had all finished inside the top 20 places giving them 2nd place in the team race behind Rossendale and a Northern Championship Silver Medal with Nick, Chris and Stephen the three counters.
L-R Nick Gaskell (1st V50) – Chris Davies (1st V45) – Matt Nuttall (2nd V50)
L-R Northern Silver 2nd Team Medal – Stephen Walter – Nick Gaskell – Chris Davies
Nick Gaskell Chris Davies Matt Nuttall
Still on the road and this time with Dan Grundy at the Half Moon Bay 10 mile road race which was part of the Morecambe Festival of Running covering races over distance of 10 mile, 10k and 5k. The conditions weren’t ideal and a bit windy to boot, however that didn’t stop Dan winning the race in 60.02. On social media later Dan commented that “Took a trip out to the coast for todays 10 mile race. The coastal winds blew my chances of going under 60 mins (by just a few seconds). With a fast time not really being something I was extremely pleased to have come home in 1st place. Meeting up with Rick who ran well too topped of a fab day”
Dan Grundy
Dan Grundy (394)
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Four Blackburn Harriers made the trip over to the EIS in Sheffield on Sunday for the Northern Athletics Indoor Open – all of them taking on the 1000m – Agatha Taylor, Codie Dewhurst, Abigail Stratton, Keira Haxton (RESULTS)
(Codie & Abigail’s Race Video) — (Keira Haxton’s Race Video)
Agatha Taylor who is in her first year as an U15 for the Track was in a race with two top of the age U15’s and one other first year in her first attempt at the distance indoors – and what a good run she had clocking 3.10.67 in 2nd place. Bottom of age U20 Keira Haxton lined up in a mixed age group race featuring three vet males and one U17W and ran well to finish with a time of 3.13.46 in 5th spot. Codie Dewhurst also in his first year as an U20 and Abigail Stratton U20 were drawn in the same race which included four male athletes and two U20 women. Codie ran a perfect race sitting behind the leader the whole way, sprinting off the final bend to take the win in 2.45.74 whilst Abigail clocked an impressive 2.53.78 in 5th spot.
Agatha Taylor
Codie Dewhurst (2nd) – Abigail Stratton (3rd)
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Tour of Pendle – Saturday November 19th
Three hundred and fifty finishers in this iconic Fell Race which included five members from Blackburn Harriers – the race being won by Keswick’s Harry Bolton in 2hr 21.39 with Matlock’s Joe Oldfield in 2nd (2hr 24.29) and Bowland’s Ellis Bland in 3rd (2hr 25.14).
(Tour of Pendle Fell Race Results)
Josh Holgate had a great run with a top ten finish, running a time of 2hr 32.20 in 7th place. Not normally seen on the Fells but that didn’t stop Marc Hartley having a good run coming home in 30th spot (2hr48.33), telling the Club after the race “Not usually my sort of running but thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish, a cracking event that was so well supported by organisers, competitors and spectators. If you’re after something different then it’s well worth a try. Hat’s off to Josh Holgate-Helm who finished a superb 7th, fantastic debut at this type of racing and more to come. Also, a massive thanks to John Horrocks who supported me & Josh throughout with drinks & food.”
Craig Greenough was the next Harrier home in 186th place running a time of 3hr 32.01 and he was followed home by V50 Danny & V45 Michelle Teare in 319th and 320th positions with an identical time of 4hr 36.23. After the race Michelle told the Club about the day saying “Set myself the challenge of attempting the Tour last year after running the fells more during Covid. ( I am now a convert). Training has gone well despite managing a glute niggle picked up after Aggies Staircase in the Summer. Was just delighted with the calm weather, couldn’t have asked for a better day! My strategy was to get through the cut off at 2hrs and then felt I could enjoy the race more. Was chuffed with my pace but few niggles started at mile 11. Kept them in check, OK on the climbs, trickier on the descents, couldn’t get my speed up. Enjoyed the race, but a bit disappointed the niggles slowed my overall time but I wasn’t last!! (Just!). Couldn’t have done it without Danny, who’s encouraged me and ignored all my grumpy comments in bad weather training over the last few months. Big thanks go to him for kindly supporting me by running it with me this year (even though he would have got a faster time on his own!!). Now planning the next fell race (once I can walk again 😂)”
Danny & Michelle Teare
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Ross County Race 2
Helen Leigh may have moved up to Inverness but for those who know here, there won’t be many mountains she hasn’t climbed, walked and run in that neck of the woods before too long. The last weekend saw her out in a cross country race – the second Race in the Ross County Series which covers, like our own Leagues here, all age groups from U11 through to Seniors. Helen came 3rd overall in the Senior Women’s race in a time of 35.56 behind the winner Kirstie Rogan (35.18) and Moira Davie in 2nd (35.46) and her time was 15 seconds faster than the first race in the Series. Helen is targeting the Three Peaks Race in April 2023.
