The race, which starts and finishes at Walmer Bridge Village Hall, can be run as either a five or 10 mile event, with runners opting to run once or twice around a five-mile, largely flat circuit, which was chosen by England Athletics for its National Five Mile Road Race Championships in 2019.
First man home in the 10 mile race was Thomas Blaney, of Blackburn Harriers, in 57:40 while the first lady was Mumtaz Patel, of Burnden Road Runners, in 01:13:07.
In the five mile race, John Joe Doherty, of Liverpool Harriers, took first place in 25:44, while April Thorpe, of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers, was first lady home in 31:44.
Michael Brennand, who organises the race with fellow members of the Central Lancs Running & Triathlon Club (CLAN) and help from a team of volunteer marshals supplied by official race charity Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “We were delighted by this year’s field, which had great conditions for a fast time.
“Although our winners didn’t break any records, I’m aware of many other runners in both fields, who achieved a personal best time or a personal best time for this season. Our congratulations go not only to them but also to everyone who took part. As well as serious club runners, our race has a long tradition of fun and charity runners for whom finishing times are less important.”
Among the charity runners were Simon Blackburn, of Penwortham. Simon has taken part in the 10 mile race every year since it launched nine years ago, raising funds for Rosemere Cancer Foundation. Also running the 10 mile race for charity was Paul Brown, Deputy Director of Research & Innovation for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who ran for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity.
Sue Swire, fundraising manager for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “Well done to Michael and his team, all the runners and their supporters, and a special thanks to our volunteers, who helped to keep everyone on the right track.”
Entry to next year’s 10th Anniversary City of Preston Road Race on Sunday, 9th August 2026, is already open. All runners taking part will receive a special commemorative medal. The race currently has an early bird entry offer on until Sunday, 31st August 2025 at comteq.niftyentries.com
Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre, which is the region’s specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, and also at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties.
The charity funds cutting-edge equipment, clinical research, staff training and innovative services and initiatives that the NHS cannot afford in order to make patients’ cancer journey more effective, comfortable and stress-free. For further information on its work, including how to make a donation, visit rosemere.org.uk
1. Contributed
Penwortham’s Simon Blackburn has run in the 10 mile race to raise funds for Rosemere Cancer Foundation every year for the last nine years Photo: Submitted
3. Contributed
Paul Brown, Deputy Director of Research & Innovation for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, ran for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity Photo: Submitted