Preston Harriers have a strong road running group. We have members running in local and national races, from 5k to marathon distance. There are regular training groups with coaches who will help to improve your performance. Not all members want to race and there are training groups suitable to members who simply wish to keep fit.
We enter teams in all the major road running relay races including the NW Counties Road Relays, which are usually held at a reasonably local venue, and the Northern Road Relays which cover clubs in the North of England. There are also veteran’s road relays on a regional and national basis for both men and women. For relay races, the club enters a first team and then other teams for whoever wishes to run. Relays are fun races held with a traditional club spirit and are for all.
Each year we have a club championship. This is a series of races throughout the northwest with races to count for points, and prizes awarded to the winners in all the senior age groups. Road Championship 2026 & Past Winners
A Presentation Evening is held at the end of the year when all prizes are awarded.
This is an Inter club road races series between 7 local athletics clubs – Preston H, Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde AC, Chorley A & TC, Lytham St Annes RRC, Red Rose RR, Thornton Cleveleys RC & Wesham RR & AC. These races take place during the summer months and are between 4 and 5 miles in distance. They are free to enter for all club members.
Please contact the Road Running Coordinator if you wish to know anything further about road running at Preston Harriers.
For senior runners there are various road and track based sessions taking place on weekday evenings throughout the year. Many of the sessions are interval based. A brief guide to Interval Training
To use the track, you will need to pay a Preston Harriers official at the gate or have a Track Pass from the club. Further information on the use of the track and Track Passes: Track Passes
All the road based sessions (not track) are free to club members. Costs are incurred in training coaches, and it is hoped that, in return, members would consider helping the club in some manner, for example, marshalling at a club race.
For senior runners, there are training groups to cater for all abilities and ambitions, with a clear pathway for runners to move through the groups as their performances improve, or to drop down a group after recovering from an injury, a long layoff, or reduced fitness.
Advanced (A) – Aimed at runners with a 5K time of sub 17:00, 10K sub 36:00 or 10 miles sub 60:00.
Development (D) – For more experienced runners aiming to improve their racing times or continue racing in Veteran age groups.
Aimed at runners with a 5K time of sub 23:00, 10K sub 50:00 or 10 miles sub 80:00.
Progression (P) – For runners, beyond beginners, who wish to improve, by running longer distances or faster times. Suitable for those who wish to simply run or as an introduction to racing.
Aimed at runners who can run 5K (3 miles) in less than 34:00.
Beginner / Running Fitness (F) – For newcomers to running aiming to be able to run 5K (3 mile) or to run to keep fit, but not necessarily race.
Start Time: 6.30 pm
Venue: ULAN Track
Suitability: (A) & (D)
Coached: No
Training consists of interval sessions during summer and winter. All abilities are welcome, with different-paced groups running the intervals.
Track Schedules:
Start Time: 7.00pm
Venue Week 1: Penwortham
Venue Week 2: Tarleton
Suitability: (A)
Coached: Yes
On alternative weeks, training comprises a hill rep session (Penwortham) and a 400m interval session (Tarleton).
Contact Road Advanced Group Coach.
Winter: Oct – Mar
Start Time: 6.45 pm
Venue: UCLAN Track
Suitability: (D)
Coached: Yes
Running time: Around 60min.
This group is aimed at senior athletes who are looking to improve their performances at all distances from 5km to a Marathon.
It is an interval based session with ‘short and sharp’ efforts to help runners improve their speed and recovery time.
Summer: Apr – Sept
Start Time: 6.30 pm
Venue: The New Continental, South Meadow Lane, PR1 8JP
Suitability: (D)
Coached: Yes
Running time: Around 60min.
This session concentrates on improving endurance speed over longer distances.
Coached by an experienced and committed coach, the group offers a supportive and encouraging environment where individuals can achieve their goals.
For further information or to find out more about the upcoming sessions:
Contact Road Development Group Coach
Start Time: 6.30 pm
Venue: The New Continental, South Meadow Lane, PR1 8JP
Suitability: (P)
Coached: Yes
This is a training session based around Avenham & Miller Parks, led by a UKA qualified coach and supported by qualified ‘Leaders in Running Fitness’. It is suitable for runners who are able to run 5K (3 mile) without stopping.
Tuesdays are intervals and hills training and Thursday sessions are of varying distances up to 10 miles with cut off points for shorter distances.
Contact Road Progression Group Coach.
Dates: Usually commences twice a year in February and September. Contact Road Running Fitness Coach
Start Time: 6.30 pm
Venue: The New Continental, South Meadow Lane, PR1 8JP
Suitability: (F)
Coached: Yes
This schedule follows the NHS ‘Couch to 5K’ 9 week programme. At the end of the programme, you will be able to run 5K (3 miles). You will also learn the correct running techniques, and useful tips on running.
Contact Road Beginner Group Coach.
Start Time: 7.00 pm
Venue: UCLAN Track
Suitability: (D) & (F)
Coached: Yes
This session is for everyone, from those just starting out to experienced runners. The sessions are led by club coaches, Steve Jackson and Alan Appleby. It is an interval session based on a set distance or set time run.
Meet at the cabin on the far side of the track from the entrance.
From April to September, the Under 11 group have a general session which finishes at 7pm, therefore the group cannot access the track for any warm-up until 7pm.
Start Time: 7.00 pm
Venue: Wymott Prison, Leyland
Suitability: (A) & (C)
Coached: Yes
This is a timed fartlek session or hill rep session. The session is led by club coach, Ian Dandy. For newcomers to the group, a video analysis is available which can pick up areas where runners can improve their style or technique. Current training schedules can be reviewed, and a written training plan provided.
Contact Road Advanced Group Coach.
Start Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: Wymott Prison, Leyland
Suitability: (A)
Coached: Yes
This is a timed Fartlek session.
Contact Road Advanced Group Coach.
Start Time: 6.30 pm
Venue: The New Continental, South Meadow Lane, PR1 8JP
Suitability: (D)
Coached: Yes
Running time: Around 60min.
This group is aimed at senior athletes who are looking to improve their performances at all distances from 5km to a Marathon.
This session is a longer ‘steady’ run which will help build aerobic endurance and strength.
Coached by an experienced and committed coach, the group offers a supportive and encouraging environment where individuals can achieve their goals.
For further information or to find out more about the upcoming sessions:
Contact Road Development Group Coach
Start Time: 6:30 pm
Venue: Preston Docks Halfords Car Park, 2 Maritime Way, PR2 2ZB
Suitability: (D)
Coached: No
This session, not coached, is around Preston Docks, comprising a 5K (2 laps) tempo/threshold run, plus warm-up and cool-down.
Start Time: 6:30 pm
Venue: The Continental, South Meadow Lane, PR1 8JP
Suitability: (D)
Coached: No
This session, not coached, is a tempo or progression run of 6 – 8 miles.
These sessions are uncoached and aimed at seniors with a sub 22min 5K PB.
If you wish to join these sessions, please contact our Road Senior Men’s Captain or Road Senior Women’s Captain.
| Date | Race |
|---|---|
| 01/03/26 | New Longton 10K |
| 15/03/26 | Wigan 5K |
| 03/04/26 | Calder Vale 10M |
| 08/04/26 | Blackpool Inter Club |
| 05/05/26 | Lytham Inter Club |
| 21/06/26 | Freckleton Half M. |
| 23/06/26 | Thornton Inter Club |
| 20/07/26 | Wesham Inter Club |
| 01/08/26 | Halewood 5K |
| 12/08/26 | Chorley Inter Club |
| 23/08/26 | Birchwood 10K |
| 30/08/26 | Riverside 10 Mile |
| 02/09/26 | Red Rose Inter Club |
| 04/09/26 | Power of 5K |
| 18/10/26 | Green Drive 5 |
For Senior, V40 and V50 – Best 6 from 15 Races to count but must include:
Short – 5K – 1 Race
Inter Club – 3 Races
Medium – 5-7 Miles – 1 Race
Long -10M & Over – 1 Race
For U23, V60 & V70 – Best 5 from 12 Races (no Long races) to count but must include:
Short – 5K – 1 Race
Inter Club – 3 Races
Medium – 5-7 Miles – 1 Race
For each category
1st 52pts, 2nd 50pts, 3rd 48pts, 4th 47pts, to 50th & below 1pt
In the event of a tie the winner will be whoever has scored the most points in their best 3 Inter club races. Should this still result in a tie, then the winner will be the runner with the lowest total time in their 7 highest scoring races.
Categories:
Overall Male / Female
Male / Female U23
Male / Female V40 (age 40 – 49)
Male / Female V50 (age 50 – 59)
Male / Female V60 (age 60 – 69)
Male / Female V70 (age 70 & over)
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Overall Male & Female and 1st & 2nd in each age category, subject to the number of competitors.
The series organiser’s decision is final.
| Date | Host | Time | Location | Start |
| 8/4/26 | Blackpool | 7.00 | Blackpool Cricket Club | Stanley Park |
| 5/5/26 | Lytham | 7.30 | Pleasure Island Car Park | By Beach Huts |
| 10/6/26 | Preston | 7.30 | Avenham Park | In park |
| 23/6/26 | Thornton | 7.30 | Anchorsholme | Promenade |
| 20/7/26 | Wesham | 7.30 | BNFL, Lea Lane, Salwick | By Car Park |
| 12/8/26 | Chorley | 7.30 | Astley Park | Near Astley Hall |
| 2/9/26 | Red Rose | 7.00 | Worden Park, Leyland | In park |
The Inter club road races series is between 7 local athletics clubs – Preston H, Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde AC, Chorley A & TC, Lytham St Annes RRC, Red Rose RR, Thornton Cleveleys RC & Wesham RR & AC. Each club hosts a midweek race from April to September. The race distance is usually from 4 – 5 miles.
The races are open to all affiliated members. There will be no guest runners allowed. Please note the minimum age to enter is age 15 on the day of the race. The races are run in a competitive but friendly spirit. They are free to enter for all club members. You just turn up and run with a club vest on.
Please note, from 2024, you are NOT ALLOWED to wear headphones, of any type. Anyone reported with headphones will not appear in the results.
To obtain a race number please complete the online form, stating your name and date of birth. An email reply will be sent to confirm your entry.
Inter Club Road Series 2026 Entry Form
Online entry has now closed. Enter on the day – see club official.
The same race number must be used for all the races in the current year. Numbers can be collected from a club official on race days. Please allow plenty of time before the race starts.
There are five team categories. An Open with 10 to count; Women with 5 to count; Veterans with 6 to count; Vet 50 with 4 to count and Vet 60 with 3 to count. There are team and individual prizes, to be presented after the second race the following year.
Each year over the winter period, you will find club runners ‘training for London’. Whether you are the club marathon record holder (2:24:47, Chester 2015) or hoping for a time of 6+ hours, you will find another runner to share those long Sunday morning runs in January and February.
Club coaches are always willing to give you help on training schedules and advice on how to stay injury free in your build up to ‘London’. Preston Harriers is the place where you can achieve your London Marathon goal.
Each England Athletics club is guaranteed a number of places for the London Marathon. If you have already applied for and had your entry rejected (keep your rejection letter), club members can apply for a club place. All applications need to be received usually by the end of November and must include confirmation that you were a member at the time you applied for the ballot and are still a current member. Priority will be given to those runners who have actively contributed to the club (coaching, marshalling, organising etc) in the last 2 years. If the above criteria have been met equally by more applicants than available places, then a draw will decide successful applicants.
If you wish to apply for a club place for the next London Marathon see below.
The race will be held on 26th April 2026. When the club has been allocated places for this race members will be notified in the club newsletter. Members can then apply for a club place by contacting Endurance Officer. The deadline for applications is 30th November 2025.
To qualify for a club place you will need to have entered the 2026 ballot and been a fully paid up member of Preston Harriers at that time and still be a member now. Please include a short narrative about how you have actively contributed to the Club over the past 2 years.
Distance | Name | Race | Year | Time |
5K | John Nuttall | Dublin | 1995 | 13:42 |
10K | Patrick Dever | Ribble Valley | 2018 | 29:24 |
10 Mile | Adam Sutton | Sale | 2006 | 48:05 |
Half Marathon | Joe Monk | Cheshire Elite HM | 2021 | 1:05:58 |
Marathon | David Rigby | Chester | 2015 | 2:24:47 |
Distance | Name | Race | Year | Time |
5K | Helen Clitheroe | Blackburn | 2010 | 15:45 |
10K | Helen Clitheroe | Manchester | 2011 | 31:45 |
10 Mile | Carla Davies | St.Anne’s 10 Mile | 2024 | 57:59 |
Half Marathon | Helen Clitheroe | Great North Run | 2011 | 1:10:57 |
Marathon | Eleanor Whyman-Davies | Valencia | 2019 | 2:33:24 |
