A large group of Preston Harriers congregated at Hurst Green for the festive Hurst Green Turkey Trot, a 5 mile trail race around the paths and tracks of Longridge Fell. The race is competitive at the sharp end and was won this year by top fell runner Tom Adams of Ilkley Harriers in the superb time of 28:51. There were other elements of almost equal importance, however. The first was the fancy dress which was worn by the majority of competitors, and Harriers showed a variety of creative outfits, ranging from the Spanish pirate costume of Adela Nuttall through various Santa and elf costumes to the curly wigs and “118 – what’s my number” vests chosen by Marian and Kevin Hesketh. The other point of interest for spectators was how each runner coped with the notorious “elephant trap”, a deep pool of icy water which concealed submerged logs to trap the unwary. As the runners approached it, they could hear the screams of competitors already in the water and shouts of encouragement from the bystanders. Some managed to cross quickly, some tangled with the underwater obstacles or needed support from a handily placed tree, and one or two wimped out and clambered over an adjacent branch, but all eventually negotiated it safely and completed the course a little wetter and muddier than when they started it. First Harrier to finish was Jon Green, who took 11th place and 2nd V45 in a time of 34:52. Kevin Hesketh was next in 35th place and 1st V65 in 41:34 and he was closely followed by the first Harrier lady, Emma Essex-Crosby, who had an excellent run to place 2nd FV40 in 43:36. Other Harriers to complete the challenge were Andrew Acklam, Olga Wiggins, Jennifer Lock (2nd FV50), Marian Hesketh (1st FV65), Ian Patterson, Julie Tyrer, Judith Deakin, Adela Nuttall, Sue Wickham and Helen Boyer.
