Six hundred and one runners turned up at this years Freckleton Half-Marathon in cooler weather than is usual for this particular event. There was nothing very ‘usual’ about the outcome though. Blackburn Harrier Ben Fish won for the ninth consecutive year in a time of 69.19, nearly half a minute in front of the 2nd placed finish John Mason.
Results HERE
Its an incredible feat to have won this race nine years in a row and who would bet that Ben won’t target a straight ten next year. After the Race he told us that the “Race went well, windy, but cool unlike last year which was boiling! John Mason chased me all the way. Won by 20 secs for 9th win”. Three other Harriers also ran the Race – V40 Allan Hartley coming in 105th in a time of 1.36.28 – V40 John Cookson in his debut Half-Marathon was 138th (1.39.20 and Dave Morris (492nd) also running this distance for the first time in 2hrs.15.08.
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The latest Race in the Podium 5k Series took place last Saturday night – June 20th – and saw another win for Chris Livesey in 15.04. Blackburn Harriers Tim Raynes and Andy Buttery ran in the ‘A’ Race featuring 28 athletes with Tim clocking 16.08 in 11th place and Andy 16.43 in 20th. Laura Hesketh who runs on the Track for Blackburn Harriers ran in the ‘B’ Race placed 7th in 19.14.
The next Race in the Series takes place on July 18th and is a 10k and all Race details HERE
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Turner Up-Hill Race
Jack Hindle and Josh Boyle ran really well at the Turner Up-Hill Race at the weekend with Jack winning the U18 Boys Race and Josh coming 2nd in the U16 Race.
U18 Boys Results HERE
U16 Boys Race Results HERE
Jack won his Race in 20.41, nearly half a minute in front of 2nd placed Chris Law from Holmfirth. He was delighted with his win and told the Club that he was “Really happy to get a win, my form is starting to come in now at the right time. It was a tough ascent to the summit finish but felt strong, happy to know that the hill training is paying off.” Josh was in a very competitive race with less than 30 seconds separating the first four. Josh came 2nd in the end in 16.33 just four seconds in front of 3rd.
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Aggies Staircase
Starting at the top of Punstock Road, the route climbs a footpath, turns right onto the track past Robin Hoods cottage, then left to follow an enclosed footpath to the main track, and left up to Darwen Tower.
It then descends through the small quarry onto the main track towards the top of Bold Venture Park, before turning right to climb steeply up a rough path known as Jacobs Ladder, then across the moor top, and on down to the foot of Aggies Staircase.
Aggies Staircase is the shortest but steepest of the three climbs, and from the top you will return just below the Tower, and then descend the way you first came up towards Sunnyhurst. At the gate at the bottom turn right, retracing your steps; continue past Robin Hoods cottage, then turn left down the path to the finish at the top of Punstock Road
Full Results HERE
This local favourite Race – Aggies Staircase – attracted 115 runners last Thursday evening and was won by Ben Coop from Bury in 30.06. Liz Greenwood had a very good Race finishing 7th overall in a time of 33.26 and was also the 1st female runner home. Liz was followed by Danny Maynard in 53rd (38.22) – John Cookson (65th) in 39.53 – Danny Teare (74th) in 41.25 and Ben Armstrong (87th) in a time of 42.47.
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V50 Jan Buckingham is chasing her 10k’s and ran the Pilling 10k on June 20th finishing 28th in 50.16. She was 2nd V50 in the Race, the fifth time that she has achieved that since September which is really consistent.
Results HERE
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