The races were from Barley and included the Junior Lancashire Championships. The little village was busy as we arrived, and the car park was almost full.

Conditions though, were poor. Pendle Hill had mostly disappeared under cloud and banks of drizzle and heavier bursts of rain kept drifting in.

Thoughts turned in pre-race conversation with Colin Harrison & Pete Kevan to those seniors who had gone to Sedbergh and would have to contend with a 14 mile race on what was just not a good looking day.

Harriers had no representation in the U8, U10 and U12 races but a grand total of 51 completed in the three events.

Nichola  & Emily warming up.

Andrew well up at the start heading for the murky sky over Pendle

Andrew & Nichola heading for the finish

Andrew of the broken shoe & Amie in the rain before her race. Other old shoes

Andrew Harrison, Nichola Jackson & Emily Kevan were all in the U14 race over a 2.89 mile course and 878` of ascent. 28 started. The runners had a long out and back course, well up onto Pendle and spectators could see a long line of little figures on the crest being eventually swallowed by the mist. Pete Kevan tried to keep watch with his binoculars, and Emily sadly had to drop out further on the climb because of shortage of breath.

The race was won by Tom Doyle (Helm Hill) in 24:23.

Andrew was 15th (14th boy)in 28:22 and with Colin having filled in the registration form, his running club was "Barley" - Nice one, Colin! Andrew picked up 3rd in the Lancashire Championships and ran the final bit of the crest and all of the descent in one shoe!

The broken shoe was carried down and then flung at me for "safekeeping" as he neared the final descent. It was later presented to Colin at the finish, as a debate then ensued with a number of other interested parties about the merits of buying Inov 8`s or Walshs next!

Nichola was 21st overall and 3rd girl in 30:40, so valuable championship points were collected, but she was unable to retain her Lancashire Championship of 2005. That went to Becky Taylor (Blackburn) in 29:11 - well done Becky! Girls winner was April Stevenson

(Horwich) in 27:23.

A field of 34 ran in the U16 race (3.62m & 1027`) and the strong Josh Moody (Matlock) who has only just moved to this age group won in 28:41 - only 4 seconds ahead of 2nd. There were no Preston Harriers runners in this race.

Three last  pictures from Peter Kevan .... Amie descending in her race. Emily descends in hers.

At U18 / U20 20 ran over a 4.3 mile course and 1352` of ascent - there were several heavy spells of rain just before the runners left. 

Amie Kevan picked up a Lancashire Championship silver and was 6th lady at U18. Brother James, (Horwich) at U20 was the overall winner in an impressive 33:05.

Missing from this race were The Nashers because of holidays. The event was well organised, especially in view of the conditions by Clayton-le-Moors Harriers, so thanks to them for a good day.

You can see Pendle last year here