Personal bests galore for Harriers youngsters in Blackpool
The five-mile out-and-back route was a fast and furious affair, with a paltry (by fell racing standards) 820 feet of elevation and the usually boggy moorland dry and bouncy after a record-breaking dry spring.
Advertisement
The start line was a sea of red vests with 16 Horwich RMI Harriers amassed - and they delivered quality as well as quantity. Sam Fairhurst (second, 30mins 1sec), Nick Leigh (fourth overall and first MV45, 31:34) and Matt Fawthrop (fifth, 32:02) ensured a dominant men's team victory. Alistair Murray had a great run to finish 10th and first MV50, while he, Rob Seddon (33:47) and Nick Kelly (second MV55, 35:36) also took third place in the men's team prize.
Gary Chadderton was first MV60 (39:05) and Doug Fleming first V65 (39:54), while the women also posted some fantastic results and times. Charlotte Wilkinson was third Junior (37:42), Alison Mort was second FV45 (43:13) and Katherine Newall second FV50 (45:25). They combined to take third in the female team prize.
On the same night, it was the first of the Harrock Hill Race series where Adrian Bramham got his hands on a unique box of veg prize for a commanding victory in the MV60 category. His time of 39:11 on the tough 5.2-mile course was a minute faster than the next V60.
The latest Youth Development League Lower athletics meet was held on Sunday at Blackpool. There were many first places, with under-13 Theo Bolton winning the 75m in 10.8 (a personal best) and Jack Fletcher winning the 80m Hurdles in 13.2. The girls performed well with debutant Isla Smith (75m, 10.9 and 150m, 22.5), Florence Simm (75m, 11.8 and long jump, 3.29m) and Lily Mort (100m, 13.8 and 200m, 28.4) each achieving a brace of PBs. Grace Freary ran a superb 5:25.8, demolishing the field in her 1500m before going on to help the 4x300m girls win the relay.
Advertisement
Erinn Walker recorded a huge PB in the high jump, upping her highest jump from 1.05m to 1.25m, only narrowly missing a clearance at 1.30m. Walker recorded another PB in her 150m race (24.2) and won her 70m hurdles race in 14.5.
Collectively, the RMI amassed a spectacular 28 PBs. Among those not already mentioned were Toby MacDonald (75m, 12.6 and 800m, 3:11.7), Ben Essex-Crosby (75m, 12.1, 800m, 3:11.7 and long jump 3.53m), Alfie Fletcher (75m, 13.0 and 800m, 3:19.1), Bobby Charnock (javelin 12.13m), Toby MacDonald (javelin, 8.15m), Emily Hellewell (100m, 14.8), Grace Hoyte (100m, 14.7), Kitty Crossland (800m, 2:29.9 and shot, 4.35), Emily Hellewell (800m, 2:46.9), Abi Ajet (shot, 7.97), Flynn Harris (shot, 6.80), Ben Higgins (1500m, 5:20.5), Matthew MacDonald (100m, 14.5 and 1500m, 5:49.4).
This ensured Horwich finished the day as second-place squad, just 21 points behind the winners after a superb team effort.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Women's Euro 2025 final: Live updates, highlights as Spain, England head for 2023 World Cup rematch
On Sunday, the 2025 Women's Euro will come to an end, as England and Spain battle for the championship. The two European powerhouses will fight for the title to cap off a thrilling, dramatic tournament in Switzerland. For England, Sunday's final marks an opportunity to defend its 2022 Euro victory — the first major trophy for England in more than 50 years, for both the men's and women's sides. But it's also a chance for revenge, two years after La Roja beat the Lionesses in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. England did not have a straightforward path to this final, notching extra-time comeback wins in both the quarterfinal against Sweden and in the semifinal against Italy. 19-year-old forward Michelle Agyemang has been the Lionesses' hero in both of these games, scoring late equalizers in both games to keep England's title defense alive. Spain, meanwhile, has looked dominant all tournament, cruising through the group stage to the knockout stage. After a strong win over Switzerland, Spain advanced to the final by defeating Germany in the semis, off an extra-time strike from reigning Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí. La Roja is currently ranked No. 2 in the FIFA rankings, behind the United States; a Euro win could push them into the top spot. In the recent past, England-Spain matches have been low-scoring battles. The two teams faced off twice during the group stage of the UEFA Nations League in February; England won the first game 1-0, but Spain took the second 2-1. Prior to those games, the two countries had not faced off since the World Cup, with Spain's Olga Carmona scoring the sole goal in that contest. Now, England and Spain will play again, with a major title on the line. How to watch England vs. Spain in the Women's Euro 2025 final Date: Sunday, July 27 Time: 12 p.m. ET Location: St. Jakob-Park | Basel, Switzerland TV channel: Fox Sports, Disney+ Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more from the Women's Euro 2025 final match between England and Spain:
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Spain match 14-year feat with EURO 2025 opener 🎯
Spain have drawn first blood in their EURO 2025 final against England. The reigning world champions broke the deadlock midway through the first half of Sunday's Basel showpiece as Mariona Caldentey powered home Ona Batlle's cross. But as La Roja eye a piece of history by potentially winning a maiden European crown, the Arsenal forward has already written her name into the record books. Will it be enough to clinch their long-awaited EUROs title? 📸 SEBASTIEN BOZON - AFP or licensors
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Euro 2025: Spain leads England 1-0 at halftime in the final on Mariona Caldentey's header
BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Spain leads England 1-0 at halftime in the Women's European Championship final on Sunday after scoring a very English-style goal. Mariona Caldentey's header in the 25th minute was fair reward for Spain's precise passing patterns around the tightly packed England penalty area. It was the fourth time in England's six games at this tournament that the defending champion trailed to the first goal before halftime. The English flavor to the opening goal was in a full back's cross from the byline finding the head of an Arsenal player to score as Ona Battle sent an accurate cross from the byline to Caldentey. Caldentey had gone close with a shot just minutes before scoring and tournament top scorer Esther González also had three scoring chances. Still, England had a clear chance to lead in the 19th. Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll saved well from Lauren Hemp's low shot after her own reckless pass in the penalty area gifted the ball to the England winger. There was royalty from both nations in the VIP box watching the game. Prince William, who is the first in line to the British throne, was with his daughter Princess Charlotte. He is president of the English Football Association. Also present were Princess Leonor of Spain and her younger sister, Infanta Sofía. __ AP soccer: Graham Dunbar, The Associated Press
