Florie McLeish captured her third consecutive County title at a snowy & sunny Witton Park as she stepped up to the under-15 girls category. The conditions proved no obstacle to McLeish as she produced yet another tremendous run, leading from start to finish and proving once more too strong for the opposition.

Rachael Scott had another fantastic run working her way through the field on the climb up the saucer to capture the bronze medal. It is worth noting that both Florie & Rachael were competing at the bottom of the age group. They were backed up by a very strong team performance which ensured a silver medal. Jessica McDermott 11th, Ashley Smith 13th, Aimee Gallagher, 16th and Laura Sullivan 18th, all had fine runs.

The next highest placed Harrier was Kristian Bibby who despite having a winter disrupted with minor injuries, showed his ability by claiming the silver medal in the under-17 men’s race. Richard Morrell 8th and Callum Rowett provided good support to gain a bronze team medal. Patrick Dever was also on the podium as a typically strong run meant a third place finish and a bronze medal.

Rory Judd was rewarded for his hard work over the winter with an excellent 6th placed finish. Luke Penswick was 12th and youngster Robert Bryning produced his best performance in a Harriers vest to finish 15th. Bradley Wicks 18th and Daniel Neal provided good support, as the boys claimed a silver team medal. 

In the under 11 girl’s race, Grace Handley grabbed a bronze medal with an excellent run, while Liam McDermott finished a creditable 18th in the boys race
Jack Ellis assured himself of a place in the Lancashire team with a fine 5th placed finish and Jack Isherwood 8th and Kingsley Judd 15th had solid runs.

Nichola Jackson was another to assure herself of a place in the Lancashire team with an outstanding 5th place finish in the under 17 women’s race. Ellen Buckley came home in 14th.

Finally for the juniors, the under- 13 girls race saw each club send out its full complement of runners. The Preston girl’s were rewarded with a bronze team medal as the young side ran courageously in the testing conditions. Emma Hargreaves was the first Harrier home in 8th place and will be hoping her consistent performances over the season and top 8 finish will ensure county selection. Beth Blackwell 12th, Maxine Smith 14th Isobel Hughes 24th and Emma Shepherd, will all finish much higher next season with a years experience under their belts. 

The seniors ran the last races and highest placed in the womens race was Philippa Walsh in 7th and second vet 45. Claire McDermott placed 18th, Marian Hesketh 28th & Judith Deakin 35th.

Josh Skinner was another in the medals, claiming bronze in the junior men’s race, which was run with all the senior men. Richard Newton, over the approx 10k course was 8th in 38.28 and next placed was the improving Jon Green in 23rd, with David Parkington 35th. Also running were Will Garner, Roger Taylor, Kevin Hesketh, Phil Walsh, John Griffiths, Alan Appleby (1st vet 60), & Gordon Thompson.