Great North Run – September 7th

Over 40,000 finishers in this years Race which saw Chris Davies attempting to improve his PB for the Half Marathon and daughter Amy Davies attempting the Junior 4k Race.

Chris achieved his objective, cutting thirty seven seconds off his previous time for a new PB of 77.00. Tom Cornthwaite who runs for the Harriers on the Track also competed for Salford Harriers and finished in 29th place with a time of 69.56.

Chris was delighted with his run and with Amy’s. Amy finished in a fantastic 2nd place (16.00) out of 472 runners in her age group and commented after the Race “Overall I am really pleased with the result and time on the day. 1:17 dead was really good knocking 1 minute and 47 seconds off from my last attempt. The conditions were tougher than last year due to this year being hotter. Last year was wind and rain but I got the best of the worst out of the weather last year. I don’t think I could have put much more into it than I did. The course is really tough. It’s not the flattest of courses, it’s very up and down and can be very demanding in places. The atmosphere is brilliant and I would recommend the race for that reason alone. Worked and trained hard for this one so really pleased with the result. I would also like to add that Amy’s efforts were great this weekend as well due to her finishing 2nd in her age category which was 11 – 12 years olds. It was a really good run in a very big field so well done to her.”

Race Results HERE

Junior Run Results HERE

An added bonus for Amy was the chance to meet Blackburn Harrier and GB International Alison Leonard and had her photo taken with her. Alison had competed the previous day at the Great City Games in a top quality 500m Race featuring Christine Ohuruogu, Lindsay Sharp, Elidh Child, Jenny Meadows and Alison.

Great City Games Results

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Bradley Fell Race – September 7th

Blackburn Harrier Liz Greenwood had a great weekend. On Saturday she was at Doncaster helping the Team to secure victory in the Play Off and then went and won the Bradley Fell Race on Sunday, confirming her selection for England. Liz told us that“The race wasn’t as steep as most fell races but I really enjoyed it especially after winning a big box of chocolates. I’m really pleased to get my England vest and am excited to be running in Ireland in two weeks” Always partial to a little bit of chocolate is our Liz!!

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Salford 10k – September 7th

Full Race Results HERE

Two thousand seven hundred and twenty one finishers in the Salford 10k which has Blackburn Harriers David Almond & Kaylie Panaro competing and doing it very well indeed.

David Almond on the right of the Photo

David Almond on the right of the Photo

David who has been training like a demon lowered his best time of  38.01 by nearly half a minute to set a new PB of 37.34. Since 2013 David has knocked nearly eleven minutes off his time which is a cracking performance and he was delighted telling us that Fantastic event in MediaCity this morning. Really pleased with my PB of 37.34. Was hoping to break 37 mins and was on for it at 5 mile mark. Hopefully achieve it by end of this month.

Kaylie also smashed her previous best time by the big margin of one minute and five seconds to record a new personal best of 45.59. Like David, she was also well pleased with her efforts and told us I was really surprised but very pleased with my time, hopefully I can get down to sub 45 at the Ribble Valley 10k”

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 Golden Ball 20 Mile – September 7th

Full Race Results HERE

V40 Shaun Livesey who has just returned from two weeks holiday took on this twenty miler as he prepares for the Berlin Marathon. Pretty hot day and not the best for distance running but Shaun came home second in a time of 2.08.56. We all wish him the best for a good run in Berlin.

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Full Race Results HERE

Father and daughter Michael and Sarah Toms tackled what can only be described as an extremely tough event, won by Findlay Wild in 1.34.43 and it is amazing to see that 486 runners completed the the Race. Sarah had a fine run to finish in a time of 2.17.36 (193rd). Michael was going well and was on for a good run until he fell on the way down and dislocated his fingers…he got them strapped up by the medic and finished in a time of 2.25.17 (249th). Tough or what.

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About The Ben Nevis Race

In 1895 when William Swan, a Fort William barber, set off on the first recorded timed ascent and descent of Britain’s tallest mountain he could not have envisaged the modern day Ben Nevis Race which now has a field of 600 runners accepting a challenge which is not for the unfit or faint-hearted.

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In the late 19th.  and early 20th.  centuries a number of races were organised on an ad hoc basis.  However it was not until 1951 that the Ben Nevis Race Association was founded with the intention of formalising arrangements for an annual race. Since that first field of 21 runners, the race has grown beyond all recognition and it has been run every year since with the exception of 1980. That year the elements won and, with competitors on the start line, a last minute decision was made to cancel the race for the safety of the runners and officials on the mountain.

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Safety of all is paramount for the organisers and the Ben Race should not be treated as a ‘fun-run’ and therefore entrants have to be experienced hill runners. The BNRA liaises closely with Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and we are grateful for their and our own volunteer marshals’ vital assistance on race day.

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The record times for both men and women have stood since 1984 when Kenny Stuart and Pauline Stuart (nee Haworth) respectively recorded 1h 25m 34s and 1h 43m 25s. In 1989 Kenny ran the Houston Marathon in a then world class time of 2h 11m 36s thus creating a benchmark by which mountain running times and the Ben Race record, in particular, can be judged. It is fair to say that hill/fell running champions are worthy of the respect afforded to top Olympic athletes.

The Ben Race has been variously described with superlatives – oldest race, toughest race, most iconic race, the supreme test of fitness etc. – and whilst these claims are open to challenge, the Ben Nevis Race Association will always defend its status as a very special event. However this is not necessary as runners testify to this on our behalf as evidenced by their remarks on this page.

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The Ben exercises a hold over runners and during the winter month they forget the pain and the strain of the first Saturday in September. Thoughts turn to getting another ’Ben’ under their belts, especially for those nearing 21 completed runs and a coveted Connochie Plaque. Today the race, which is limited to 600 runners for safety reasons, can be oversubscribed within two days of the entry forms going live in late January. If you qualify (see conditions for entry) and wish to take part, then check our site for the entry opening date.

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Junior Home International Trial at Sedburgh – August 31st

Full Results HERE

 Jack Hindle just missed out on a place at the home international needing to finish in 6th place or better to be selected. He placed 7th in the end which was a disappointment on the day because he had also hurt his foot. Jack has had a great season, running for England in Italy and finished 3rd in the FRA championships.

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