British Track & Field Championships, Manchester, 26-27 June 2021
There was no question about the performance of the week, as Preston Harriers’ Patrick Dever crowned his amazing season with a commanding win in the 5,000m race at the UK Championships in Manchester on Saturday 26th June. Dever was mentioned as “one to watch” in the pre-race speculation, but some commentators wondered if he was possibly still feeling the effects of his recent exploits in the USA, where he won the NCAA Division 1 Championships 10,000m race in a new record time of 27.41.87 on 9th June and then placed 6th in the 5,000m in a new PB of 13.19.85 just two days later. As the race began in hot sunshine, there were no signs of fatigue from Dever, who was up with the leaders from the start. The first few laps were slow and tactical, with 17 runners still in contention at 3,000m. When Jonathan Davies of Reading AC increased the pace, Dever was one of those who joined him in the leading group. Scotland’s Andy Butchart made a move on the penultimate lap and Dever was the only runner to join him. These two soon had a gap on the rest of the field and with 100m to go, Dever sped away to a well-deserved victory in a time of 13:37:30.
Elsewhere at the championship Mhairi Maclennan was 10th in the women’s 5000m, Eddie Jeans finished 11th in the men’s hammer throw and Kian Davis and Charlotte Crook both took 12th place in their respective 1500m heats.
Trafford Sprints Grand Prix 22 June 2021
Earlier in the week the Trafford Sprints Grand Prix (June 22nd) saw a number of Harriers line up; highlights included Abigail Gregson taking first place in heat 9 of the 200 metres with a new PB of 27.83. Tom Booth won the men’s pole vault, Katie Littlefair and Sharon Wilkinson won their 400m heats and finally there were PBs for Kianna Proctor (200m) and Harry Potter (400m).
UK Upper Youth Development League Ellesmere Port
Harriers put in a strong performance at the UK Upper Youth Development League over the weekend, with an on-form George Lowe leading the way with 2 first places (U17M High Jump, U17M Javelin) and 2 Personal Best performances (U17M Shot, Triple Jump). Harvey Noble also put in strong performances to achieve first place in both U20M Javelin and a PB performance for first in the U20M Shot. Overall it was an excellent day for the field sports, with first places for Emma Harrison (U17W Hammer) who increased her PB by over 4 metres, Isaac Kambaba-Delaney (U17M Shot) who also increased his PB by 41 cm, Ruby Allison (U17W Pole Vault) who also took a PB, Lois Carrol (U20W Long Jump), and Harry Burrow (U20M High Jump). On the track there were first places for the 4x100m U17 Women’s Relay team and for Hayden Middleton in the U17M 400m. Middleton put in a PB performance in to win the 400m, and also gained PBs in U17M Javelin and High Jump. It was an excellent all round performance by the Upper YDL team, with the following also achieving PB performances; Verity Glassey (U17W Discus), Isabel Caven (U17W 80m Hurdles; 300m Hurdles), Lois Carrol (U20W 100m Hurdles), Jenson Warren (U17M 400m), Scott Sinclair (U20M 400m), Keino Smith-Graham (U17M 200m) and James Ince (U17M 200m).
Southport 10km and half marathon road races, Sunday 27 June 2021
Sunday saw the running of the Southport 10k and half marathon with five Harriers in attendance. Anna Berry took on the 10k finishing in just under the hour, whilst Dale Wallis, Dorothy Parkes, Sarah Wilson and Sue Wickham all ran in the half marathon.
Two Lads fell race, Thursday 24 June 2021
Up in the mountains, Thursday saw the running of the excellent 2 Lads Fell race in Bolton where Alistair Palmer finished in 4th place in an impressive time of 33:53. Jon Green was next in, placing 22nd, followed by Craig Walker (55th), Anna Keller (114) and Olga Wiggins (137). Finally Saturday saw the staging of the Great Lakes Fell Race with Jon Green placing 105th and Michael McLoughlin taking 111th place.