Preston Harriers athletes get back in action

Preston Harriers hit the ground running when road racing began again under the new Covid-19 socially distanced format.
Mark Lee at Tatton ParkMark Lee at Tatton Park
Mark Lee at Tatton Park

The popular Podium 5K races at Barrowford saw many fast times and Harriers were in the mix, with Daniel Bebbington recording a personal best of 14.23 to win the men’s A race.

Andy Benson was eighth in the same race and also set a new best with 14.37 and Steve Hallas ran 18.13 in a later race.

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Elsewhere, at the Blackpool Run the Lights 10K, Jamie Robinson posted the fastest female time in this event, a speedy 37.53.

Other Harriers taking part were Alex Venables (37.01) and Luke Suffolk (42.03).

Tatton 10km races

The National Trust property of Tatton Park, near Knutsford, makes an ideal venue for the new format of racing.

There is ample space for parking and for the runners to spread out and keep their distance both before and after the race.

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At the Tatton 10K, Harriers’ Carla Davies was the fastest woman in a time of 36.53.

The course is very scenic and takes place on closed roads within the park, which allows plenty of room for safe overtaking and minimal contact between participants.

The main difference between the new style of racing and traditional events is the lack of a mass start.

Davies was back at Tatton for the Chase the Sun evening 10km race on August 26, when she was second fastest woman and 1st FV35 in 37.15.

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This race was very well attended, with approximately 500 runners enjoying fine weather and the chance for a fast run in beautiful surroundings.

Other Harriers to top their age group in this race were Mark Lee, who was first MV55 in 37.57, Kevin Hesketh (first MV65 in 44.06) and Marian Hesketh, who was 1st FV65 in 52.40 in her first race for two-and-a-half years after a struggle with a serious knee injury.

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