Preston Harriers' fell & trail running section . Some of our fell runners also do cross country and road running, but fell running is our main activity.Fell Running tends to be a Northern sport, the Lake District being the main centre for fell runners. The Harriers are the organizers of Paddy's Pole Fell Race, which usually takes place in June. Our junior fell runners are in a keen fell running section, you can read about them in juniorfellblog below. Preston Harriers running club was established in 1881. Mick McLoughlin the chairman of fellblog did the Bob Graham Round in 2005. Fell Runners are not as much bothered about PB's as they are about 3B's ( a local brewery).

Preston Harriers Fell Section :- fellblog

Preston Harriers Fell Section :- fellblog        

Dunnerdale  2005

Sat.5.11.05 Dunnerdale Fell Race. A.S 5m/1800’

The forecast was for rain and how it rained and rained as 212 runners lined up outside the Blacksmiths Arms, the cloud down to the pub roof. The last race in our championship and five harriers mingled with a very high class field, which contained many top men and women. At noon we were off, John showing his champion pedigree near the front, while we mere mortals were content towards the rear of the pack.

It’s a deceptive little race and the gradual climb up the road catches many out as you leave the road for the very steep climb up to The Knott, you then continue on a roller coaster over the tops before the fast descent to the road. On this section I was passed by those surer footed than me as I slid all over the place in my worn Walshes, the others in their new Inov8’s. Soon I reached the road crossing, the turning point, crossed over and up a steep climb and back into the clouds. The rain unrelenting as we headed over the tops in a long line of bedraggled fell runners, thank goodness it was mild. This section is normally excellent running but today it was like running in a river it was so waterlogged.

Finally we reach the very slippery section thought the bracken and down to the gate in the wall and on to the green lane, the fastest section as we head down hill towards the finish. I managed to overtake a few runners as they tired after the struggle over the fells and was relieved to reach the bridge and the final sprint up the road and into the field to finish. The last effort almost made me throw up as I crossed the line but I recovered and headed to the hall for my well earned pie. The best thing about the race was most runners returned as clean as when they started.

We had a slight wait for Brian who started with us but crossed over to do the other Dunnerdale Fell Race, A.M 7m/2000’ where he was the only finisher. As the road was a torrent of water and everyone soaked to one degree or another we decided to forego the pub and head for home. It was still an excellent race and deep down I enjoyed it though I had a not very good run, there is always next year.

Results,

1^st     Simon Strainer.   Ambleside.  42:02

68^th   John Griffiths .                        51:13

97^th  Michael McLoughlin                 55:39

127^th Jim Doherty                            59:20

184^th Joe Howard                            77:18

195^th Brian Dearnaley                     84:22

212 ran, 204 finished.

Congratulations to John Griffiths the new Open and V40 fell champion.

back to FellBlog

Lots of fell runners break away from their original running clubs, mainly because they have no interest in track & field, fell running being their main interest. The fell running section of our club decided to have their own website, probably for the same reason. Now a V70, George Arnold is our oldest active fell runner. There are a few more of us close behind! One of our top female road runners, whilst marshalling at Chipping Show Fell Race 2007 commented on just how friendly fell runners are.

Preston Harriers Fell Section :-  FELLBLOG  is the proud fell running section of the famous Preston Harriers Athletic Club. Our athletic club has been around for 126 years. We like to call it famous because it is what Brendan Foster calls us on BBC athletic programmes. We are well represented in Track & Field presently by our pride & joy, Helen Clitheroe.  We also have some accomplished road runners. Our Fell runners are a mixed bunch of beer drinkers, most fell runners seem to be like that! We do run lots of races, as can be seen in the site itself. We have a world record holder Pete Benson, you can read about his feat inside. We are pleased that you have visited our website, which of course is mainly about fell running. The website is based in Riley Green, where the blogger is also Mayor of Riley Green. If you want to see more about the club, you can visit our main site. Click here