Tue. 3rd June 2025
Intermittent heavy rain and strong winds greeted the race officials tasked with setting up the course at Fell Foot, Chipping. Although there was only a short shower during the race itself, the marshals on Fair Snape and Parlick summits did contend with cold winds.
Host club, Preston Harriers, had a double success with Patrick Brown winning the race and Loren Dawson finishing first women, in a field of 94 runners. There was the usual strong support from other local clubs, Bowland FR, Lonsdale FR and Newburgh Nomads RC, with the latter two including the race in their club championships.
With most club members helping on the day, Preston H. finishers were Patrick Brown (1st), Alistair Palmer (4th), Dave Parkington (MV60, 21st), Loren Dawson (1st WSEN, 43rd) and Craig Walker (66th).
First V40’s were Chris Banks (Newburgh Nomads) and Lisa Parker (Rossendale), V50’s Chris Funnell (Clayton le Moors) and Louise Goddard (Bowland). A strong MV60 field saw four runners finishing in the first 25, headed home by Glen Goodwin (Accrington RR). Rowena Browne (Bowland) was 1st FV60. Bowland FR took the men’s and women’s team prize.
This year, for the first time, the race was pre-entry only. The venue at Fell Foot, is too far away from Chipping to make use of the village facilities. This means producing a set of results quickly from the back of a car can be a challenge. The results generator spreadsheet, provided free by Durham Fell Runners, also used for the first time, was easy to use and ideal for the organiser of a small race.
A big thank you to all the helpers on race day, marshals, sweepers, timekeepers, and results officials, especially Steve Taylor, technical support, Tom Brown, results, Gordon Thompson, organising the marshals and Steve Mort, presentation. A great team effort. Thanks to Natural England and the landowners for permission to run the race.
Next years race will be on Tue. 2nd June 2026.
Michael McLoughlin, Race Organiser, Preston Harriers