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The English National cross-country championships were held at Roundhay Park, Leeds, last Saturday. The day was cold although dry, and the going was mostly good with only a few boggy sections. The courses were challenging and included the notorious “Hill 60”, a steep and sustained climb that has the ability to turn strong legs to jelly and stout hearts to dust, especially when some runners had to climb it several times.

Amelia Susolowsky, who trains with the Preston squad, being at UCLAN, kicked off proceedings and finished a very creditable 36th in the Junior women’s event. Nichola Jackson continued her excellent form throughout the season by then claiming 64th spot in the under 17 women’s event over 5k.

The under 13 boys managed to claim a very fine 10th place in the National competition. The field was well packed through the race, with the winner finishing in 11.29, and with Patrick Dever once again leading home the boys team with his 64th place and 12.41. Luke Penswick signed off his cross country season with his best performance to date, 71st, while Rory Judd 82nd, Robert Bryning 179th and Daniel Whitlow 272nd all provided excellent support in a field approaching 400 runners.

The first English Fell Championship race of the year was held on a chilly but dry day, though it was trying it’s best to snow as the race started from the Top Brink Inn, Lumbutts, near Todmorden. The tops were shrouded in mist as runners set off on the tough course of 9 miles and 2,300` of climbing.

After the initial stampede along the road, a short steep climb slowed everyone down. Boggy and tussock moors made it very hard going, especially after the top of Stoodley Pike was visited. This is a feature of this particular race and makes it a great test of endurance & early season fitness.

Last Sunday saw seven Proud Preston Harriers take part in the 20th Great North West Half Marathon, in blustery winter conditions after a light snowfall.  Getting stronger at the longer distances and crossing the line as the first Harrier was Gema Adams, continuing her rich vein of form, in a very creditable time of 1.27.24. Gema was 4th lady and 69th overall. John Langham, running well at present, achieved a pb of 1.38.05. The vet contingency made up the majority of the Harrier entrants with Francis Lambert MV50 finishing strongly in 1.45.30 and Ian France MV45 in 1.47. 16.

Next to storm over the line and be rewarded with the accolade of FV60 Great North West Half Marathon  Champion was Maureen Whitman in 2.17.57 who was pushed all the way round by Sue Wickham with a course PB just 20 seconds after Maureen. Completing the Harriers entry was Kerry Stevens in 02.26.

The 21st running of the Ilkley Moor fell race, had reduced numbers because of early morning snow which transformed the course over 5 miles with 1,260 feet of climb into a Winter wonderland, with care having to be taken on the descents. Michael McLoughlin was the only Harrier running and he finished in 56.31, slower than last years time of 52.37 because of the snow!

On Valentine’s day it was a lovely feeling to see so many young Preston Harriers turn out to help retain the Lancashire Sportshall League Championship in stunning fashion at the home of arch rivals Blackpool Wyre & Fylde AC.

With the quality of athletes and strength in depth of the Preston Harriers present, Blackpool’s slim hopes of overturning the deficit were soon dashed. Preston were dominant from the first events all the way through to the concluding relays.

Preston Harriers took 5 Lancashire titles on the day with U13 & U15 girls & boys team all being crowned champions together with retaining the overall championship. Blackburn Harriers took the U11s titles and look to be a force for next season.

Preston Harriers athletes Chloe Johnson, Mia Aguello, Curtis Mitchell & Jess McDermott all picked up Athlete of the Match awards on the day. For their overall performances throughout the league Abbie Unsworth, Ella Roberts, Chloe Johnson, Luke Farnworth & Curtis Mitchell were all awarded Athlete of the Series prizes.

Preston Harriers under 13 boys team clinched the Mid Lancs title at Hyndburn with a match to spare. The boys led by Patrick Dever won the match on the tie break system having finished level on points with Pendle. Dever who has recently secured places in both the Lancashire Inter County and Lancashire schools teams stormed home to 4th place. Luke Penswick and Robert Bryning produced their best races of the season to finish 6th and 14th respectively, while Dougie Ashcroft showed signs of a return to fitness with a 16th place finish. Daniel Neal also produced a fine run finishing 17th which crucially pushed Pendles 4th counter further down the field to ensure victory for the boys. Throughout the season the depth of the squad and the character shown has proved invaluable with every one of the boys making vital contributions at some stage.

Last weekend Helen Clitheroe competed in the UK Indoor Championships and World Trials at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield. Helen, having competed for GB & NI in the 3000m steeplechase for a number of years at major championships returned to compete in the 1500m were she made her name.

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The Lancs Schools cross country championships, at Witton Park, Blackburn saw a number of Preston Harriers juniors competing in unfamiliar district schools colours, as they took on the opportunity to compete for Lancashire Schools at the prestigious annual, English Schools Championships. This year they will be held at Heaton Park, Manchester on the 20th March. Selection is automatic for the first five runners in each age group, with three more places decided after the races, when illness and injury are taken into account.

The courses were good, with the going mostly firm. The senior boys and girls started together, the boys covering 6.5k and the girls 4.1k. Kristian Bibby, running strongly, was 2nd in the boys race with 23.59, and Richard Morrell was 5th in 24.51 and Ben Akin, 6th. Nichola Jackson was a comfortable 3rd in the girls race with 17.44 and Lucy Sumner, 9th, in 19.24.