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

Wasdale 2007        Report from Mick Mack

Wasdale , AL , 21m/9000’ 14.7.07

The third race in the Lakeland Classic Series which takes in the six longest races in the Lake District had two Harriers at the start. This is another seriously tough race and it was a relief to set off on a cool day with all the tops shrouded in mist. Karen and I set off slowly on the first climb over Winn Rigg and continued in a long line of runners across the valley to Greendale . After drinks on the bridge we continued up Seatallon and on across the boggy Pots of Ashness to the next check point on Pillar. On the way up Karen became feeling unwell and I began to pull away.  Descending from Pillar I got cramp and had to stop and take an energy gel before hobbling on to Black Sail Pass where I nearly gave up. I struggled on around Kirk Fell and up to the c.p on Great Gable which was very misty and we had to take a compass bearing to find the path down to Sty Head. Only one climb to go as we followed the tourist path from Esk Hause towards Scafell Pike which was almost a white out. I don’t know what the walkers thought as we came out of the mist clad in running gear while they were dressed for winter walking. We reached the Pike, give our tag to the marshal and again had to use the compass to make sure we were descending in the right direction for Linmoor. Once out of the mist its fast running on grassy paths to the last steep descent towards the finish, which was tough on very tired legs. Finally finished I grabbed a buttie and a welcome drink before changing for the prize giving. Finally Karen arrived after feel unwell for much of the race and being laid astray by a fellow runner, she done great to finish. Even though I suffered it’s still great competing in these long Lake District races and hopefully next year more Harriers will take part. Thanks to Karen for driving especially after doing this tough race.

Results,

1^st Ricky Lightfoot, Ellenborough, 3.45.20

64th Mick McLoughlin,                  5.44.29

104th Karen Nash,                           7.10.52

105 finished.

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