26 January 2025
This was the first race in the Road Club Championship calendar. Little did we know when arranging this fixture that 40mph gusts would hit this popular seaside town which would make for a very testing run on this out and back course.
The weather did not deter the hardy Preston Harriers however with 14 turning out to take on the challenge, starting with the wind against them for the first 5 miles!
First home from the Harriers was Luke Suffolk, crossing the line in 8th in 01:01:55 followed by Andy Cottam (M45) in 10th with 01:02:47 and Brian Evans (M40) hot on his heels in 11th with 01:02:48. These 3 finishers making up the Preston Harriers Mens team to take 2nd team prize and Brian also picking up 2nd in his age category.
Soon after Paul Blakemore (M40) 01:06:24, Stuart Nixon (M40) 01:07:39 and Richard Southworth 01:08:58 all crossed the line. Next home was Garry Stubbs-Bronson (M50) taking almost 5 mins off his PB to finish in 01:14:38 and picking up 2nd in his age category. Richard Barnes (M45) 01:19:03 and Nick Johns (M40) 01:24:43 bringing the Harriers men home.
Meanwhile the Ladies also rose to the challenge with first home for Preston being India Thomas in her inaugural 10 miler, fighting all the way to the line to finish 4th Lady in 01:11:24. India was followed by Charlotte Gregory 01:12:40 who finished 5th Lady and Mel Metcalf, 6th Lady in 01:14:40. These 3 Ladies doing enough to bring home the 1st team prize to Preston.
Also in the Ladies race were Cathy Flitcroft (F60) 01:16:45 who picked up 1st in her age category with 01:16:45 and Dorothy Parkes (F40) running strong to finish 6th in her age category with 01:33:56.
The next event in the Road Club Championships is the Blackburn Winter Warmer 10k on Sunday 2nd February.
Cathy Flitcroft