Sunshine arrived in time for the 2026 Wigan Trail 10k. Congratulations to Paul and Kelly from St Helens Striders who took top honours with some fantastic running!
A fantastic turnout of runners celebrated their success with a helping of pie and peas whilst wearing their bling!
Well done everyone and we will be back in 2027!
https://www.ukresults.net/2026/wigan10k.html
Race results.
https://search.mickhall-photos.com/galleries/wigan-trail-2026
Race photos
Final preparation is well underway. A few reminders.
Every month the coaches deliberate over their star performers of the month. Often it’s a difficult affair with multiple stand out performances. 2025 certainly saw some stellar Harrier performances.
Here’s a recap of 2025….
Congratulations to all our monthly winners, some excellent performances in 2025 from these Harriers.
Well done to all our athletes in 2025, some fantastic work done in both training and racing. Over the coming weeks we will share a round up of the year.
Best wishes to all for 2026, hope it’s a healthy one!
Becki Barnes shares a great report on Chester Marathon….
I entered Chester marathon without thinking about the fact that I would be running my long miles through the summer. Running in warm weather is not the easiest thing for me but I got it done. I struggled at times with the heat but I put the miles in my legs that I needed to run the marathon on the day.
Marathon weekend was approaching and I found myself checking the weather at least 3 times a day. Storm Amy was forecast and I wasn’t looking forward to running in strong winds and rain!
The weather decided to behave itself and although the wind was still blowing in places it wasn’t as bad as the past 2 days.
My lovely friend Lee-Ann offered to be my chauffeur for the day. We arrived in Chester just before 8. Plenty of time to prepare before the start. We took a couple of photos at the start line.
It was getting closer to the time to start so I said goodbye to Lee-Ann and then went to the start. Briefly saw David, Platty and Farad getting into place ready to start. I went to stand between the 5 hr and 5 hr 15 pacers and waited… I had been nervous earlier in the week but now I was excited and ready to get going. Had a little chat to a lady next to me who was running her first marathon. Before I knew it, we were off! As I went over the start line Lucy shouted my name and waved and then a bit further on, I saw Michelle too. It took all my willpower not to rush off in that first mile. I find it hard not to get carried away by the runners around me and the crowds too. I managed to keep to my pace and just before the first mile there was Lee-Ann stood on the city walls shouting my name and telling me I was looking good! I did shout back that it was only mile 1 and there was a long way to go.
So, on I went through the city and then out into the Cheshire countryside. It became a lot quieter on the country lanes except for the cows who were cheering everyone on over the gate at a farm. Before I knew it, I was running into Wales.
I kept checking my watch and could see the 5 hour pacer in the distance and was pleased with how I was running. But then at around mile 14 I had a salt tablet, I started to choke on one of the chalky crumbs and had to stop and walk and drink my water until I stopped. The 5 hour pacer was no longer in sight but that was ok. I was running well, with the wind behind my back and that felt so much better than 10-15 minutes before when it was in my face. On the way into Farndon, I suddenly thought where has this hill come from! I knew of one hill near the end but this was a ‘surprise hill’ that I was not expecting
I was getting tired now and I kept saying to myself over and over in my head, ‘you don’t need to walk, you don’t need to walk’ I’m not going to say I didn’t walk as I had planned all along to walk the bigger hills which normally wouldn’t be that bad but so far into a marathon they felt like mountains to my tired legs. As I approached Chester there were more crowds cheering people on. When I came to the hill at Sandy Lane I did walk and at the top that was mile 25! I was nearly there! So, I picked up my speed again and off I went. Then someone ran past so quickly that I joked to the man next to me that there was no way I was running in that fast my legs wouldn’t let me. That last mile seemed so long. I turned left down and road and found myself running alongside the river Dee. And there were cobbles! Don’t fall over now Becki, you’re so close! And on I went and then all of a sudden, I could see the finish line. Lee-Ann was there cheering me on. I saw her, waved, got a bit emotional but had to hold those tears in and get over that finish line! I had done it! 5 hrs 12 mins and a 35 minute PB! I felt so pleased with myself!
I have been joking all along that Chester marathon is my warm up for Edinburgh, maybe it is. Watch that space…
Bolton 70.3 by Jonathan.
Only writing this as post race blues are real!
Training, “Needs more bike” so I did, needs more TT bike but that couldn’t be helped, after months of being used on Zwift through winter I’d managed to decapitate it putting too much stress through the handlebars and snapping the carbon fibre sockets holding it all together, 1st problem. No worries road bike, More miles than I’ve rode for both full distance races, then on a chill Friday afternoon ride with Lucy a crash into a BMW on Tanners lane. F*ck. I got lucky, the bike didn’t, £365 quid for a chatty ride through croston, 2nd Problem. Then comes Si Tubbs, don’t think I’ll ever be done saying thank you. “Don’t worry you can lend my road, I’ll be on my TT most of Summer anyway” note to self don’t get attached to a rental/loaned bike.
And lastly the Achilles made of glass (3rd problem) meaning running has been a non starter, I think due to part confidence in ability, part arrogance I saw that as the easy bit of Bolton. Ha Idiot!
Sorry, I’m moaning, but I need to get my excuses down. But on some level, I knew that it wasn’t going to be the race I wanted and that meant less pressure, go and enjoy it. I don’t know how I’ve got this reputation as Ella points out “Headphones and ignore everybody” I’m a prick, I accept it. Not this year, determined to smile my way round.
Heyes Mobile at 4:45, again very grateful. You know you’ve surrounded yourself with good people if you’re howling laughing before 5am. It’s always special to see the running family out in force early doors to help on the swim. Quick hugs all round and best wishes with the team, I met up with Si close to the front, for those who didn’t know we had a 20 minute side race/ bet from last years race, to this day we both don’t know the forfeit but have since settled on bragging rights as it’s free. On the 6th row from the front I relaxed, stretched and then thunderstruck hits its cliché at this point but certain songs have the ability to motivate think Breakin’ Free from High school musical or Lose yourself from 8 mile. First few swimmers dive in and tear off, quick hug to Lisa, watch on Shallow dive, the only thing that’s visible in Pennington is the bubbles created by other swimmers. Managed to get into a good rhythm quickly, at the first turn the toes I’d been following dropped out of view. Quick clean of the goggles and get back to it, second turn I began to push what pace I could until the music came back a reminder to start kicking and to get some blood flow back into the legs. Out in 30:09 greeted by Mr Burgess “well done JK” I fully intend to go under 30 minutes one day.
Wetsuit off, bag racked, onto the bike, first lap of Bickershaw the theme of the day became apparent, it’s a TT course with a couple of climbs, they sound so nice when the roll past, but hey ho, I get to chase them at least. Just about scraping the pace I wanted before the race I pushed harder on the second lap taking in the beautiful sites of Hindley Prison and the Tamar, the next 5 miles hurt, headwind up into Westhoughton. Average pace had dropped, the rest of the bike course was quite dull, out and backs to Horwich via Old Kiln lane to break the monotony, at least TT suck on hills I could get back I front of a few and do what I could to get a decent bike split 2:39, I’ll take it, but 5 minutes slower than previous in 2022 Cotswolds 113 and to compound the bad split, Si had flown round the bike course as I racked my bike I saw him go past transition I briefly hoped he’d another lap, nope. As I jogged into the tent I watched him rack up. I already knew then the 20 minute side race was done, he strolls into T2 “well well well Mr Kearsley”
As I nipped to the toilet, Si even took the lead, bearing in mind he started after me so had probably a 2-3 minute virtual lead. Right, lucky hat on, quick prayer to the Achilles gods. I started with a decent pace I really hoped to carry on, aerobically I felt fine. Then creeped in the Lactic Acid and Hills, Plan A had gone in Westhoughton Plan B went in Victoria Park, what am I moaning about it’s a lot of money to run round Bolton moaning, at 10 miles with the final miles downhill I got into a comfortable pace I knew I could hold for 4:49 and a sub 1:30 half. It’s always nice running round town hall for the finish, turn right, done.
Special mention to Si for pushing me on the course and making this interesting, he won by 13 minutes and 46 seconds. And to Lucy who by all accounts had a great day taking an hour out of her PB from 2022, training pays off folks and well done Phil on finishing, it’s a great achievement. Lastly Kelly Anne for coming 7th in her age category, not bad for someone who didn’t fancy racing 4 days before.
Writing this actually helped, on reflection I did what I could and I’m proud of the swim and bike. The run was my longest run since April and it showed.
I’m going to preface this by saying that competing in a 70.3 when you haven’t trained thanks to chronic issues is not big or clever and will be bloody awful. The grand total of my training for this amounted to 3 open water swims, two 40 mile zwift sessions and a few rides between 20-30 miles, an amazing 18 miles outside on the road and two stunning long runs of 7 miles and 9 miles! Believe me I had all intentions of training properly but my body has had other ideas and a recent diagnosis of CFS and hyper mobility may shed some light on this. For once I actually managed to book a weekend off work so I could get a decent nights sleep before a race, like that would make any difference, and not go into it completely exhausted from the start.
We got to the race for 5am giving ourselves enough time to add nutrition to the bikes and get changed before having to drop the white bags off at the trucks before swim start. Considering how little I’d prepared for this I was surprisingly calm at the start I think because I’d already accepted that my options that day were I either finish or I don’t. I made my way to the swim pens and got a hug off Jane and Dave on the way in, gave Chris a kiss and hug and then happily found Lucy and Sanjay to wait with till it started. I’ve been on the spectator side of Ironman events for years thanks to Chris but it felt very off being the race side of it, you know shots going down as soon as thunderstruck starts to play. After about 15 minutes of slow movement it was our turn to get in the swim and after a nod from John and Lisa at the swim start we were off. Safe to say I panicked at bit at the start as I wasn’t expecting it to be so choppy and a big wave hitting me just knocked my confidence. I managed to pull myself together and try to get into a half decent rhythm but it didn’t help I was getting hit or kicked from all sides. Half way round the swim I had some space but was completely blind on the return leg because the sun was just bouncing off the water then the muppets appeared again and I got swam over lots. The saving grace was I could hear the music so I knew I was was close to shore. The lovely volunteers dragged my ass out and I managed to jog to transition without falling on my ass.
I managed to grab my bag and get changed without incident and remembered all my bits which was a small victory and I got to see Lucy and Sanjay come in from their swims looking strong. I set off on the bike knowing it would be a struggle for me but determined to give it my best but me being a knob I managed to bugger it up early doors. So around 3 miles in after taking a tight corner this muppet managed to clip the kerb and went down hard. Managed to smash my elbow and hip and poor Sanjay found my lying like a turtle on the floor and I think I panicked him. He was a sweetheart and helped me up and rinsed my arm off with his water bottle and I politely told him to bugger off and get on with his race and I’d be fine. My back wheel had come off from the impact so after putting it back on and having words with myself I got back on and cracked on. I knew in my head the rough time I had to make it round both the bottom loops to be in with a chance of making cut offs so I decided I wouldn’t take a rest until the 20 mile aid station. I didn’t help myself because I struggled to fuel on the bike while riding because my confidence had been knocked so I was having to stop briefly to eat and drink but losing a minute to stop was better than tanking my body. I got my ass to the aid stop at 20 miles desperate to pee and figured I’d ask for a bit of first aid while there. I hadn’t realised blood had gone all up my arm while riding until the nice man looked slightly horrified at me and cleaned me up. Plaster on I had food and a drink while watching some poor lad struggle with a snapped bike chain, I asked them what he needed and I actually had the tool on me so stayed a few minutes extra so he could borrow it. (I’m very aware that I’ve basically done everything you shouldn’t do at Ironman at this point haha) Chris is still annoyed at me for wasting time doing this but I couldn’t leave him knowing I could help and at least I used the time to stretch and fuel. I got back on the bike and cracked on wondering which sadistic git thought putting all those stupid hills in back to back was a good idea.
By 30 miles I was starting to suffer with pain through my hip and back and my arms were killing me from holding position (thankyou chronic joint and muscle pain). Around 35 miles in I was starting to contemplate dropping out because my body was hurting so much but decided to get to mile 40 at the aid station and see how I felt, the hideous rain made an appearance and really didn’t help. I managed to get up the grim hill somehow, very slowly and the ride down was terrifying for those of us that aren’t confident on a bike. Thank god Chris put new brake pads on my bike. I survived downhill and was very seriously contemplating pulling in to bike transition on the way past to drop out instead of going onto lap 2. I was soaked, freezing cold and in pain and was trying to do the maths and was sure I wouldn’t make cut off but decided f**k it I need to try and complete the bike to make Ian proud because he knew I was doing this race and how much I struggle on the bike but you know he’d tell you that you can do anything. That second lap on the final loop was brutal, it was so quiet because there were barely and supporters out as it was late on and miserable and being that cold and in that much pain I’d figured I’d cocked it. I got to the big stupid hill id been dreading and somehow got up the first two stages but by the third section my legs were done so all I could do was push my bike up it with my calves screaming at me. I got to the top and I can promise you going down that descent when your numb, tired and in pain is terrifying. I was sure I’d missed cut off by this point but I knew no matter what I’d done the bike leg and honestly I was quite happy about the idea of not having to run. I managed to keep pretty good pace heading to transition and was amazed when Claire said I’d made cut off but this meant I now had to run!
Took me a few minutes to rack my bike because some muppet had knocked my number marker off but I shuffled my ass into the tent desperate to get warm. It was grim in there. So many athletes sat in foil blankets just violently shivering because they were so cold. My hands were numb so it took me longer than it should have to change but I made sure I had a salt stick and my crisps before attempting to start the run. I walked out knowing I had at least another 2 hours on my feet to go which is a bit would destroying when on your way out you can see lots of people with finisher medals. It was a very slow start into the run as my hamstrings and feet were just so tight and my hips were screaming at me. I saw Tracy and Mark at the start and got told off for worrying her so much, she asked if I was ok and I just laughed and said no. I ended up walking though most of the park and tried to shuffle again on the long stretch after it failing miserably. Tried stretching out to ease things up and it did squat. Safe to say I’d almost cried about 5 times by this point during the race but I managed to hold it together mostly but then I spotted Sanjay and Lucy coming the opposite way on their second loop and Lucy shouting she was proud of me broke me. Think I made it to the 4 mile point when chris appeared from behind me and I was so grateful to find him and I think he was happier he found me as I knew he’d have been stressing out about me. He told me off for walking and made me run and honestly the only ‘easy’ bit of that half marathon was the few miles I ran with Chris because he kept me going. Unfortunately we parted ways as he turned to finish and I shouted that hopefully I’d see him in around an hour. The second loop was the slowest 10k I think ive ever shuffled and being in that kind of pain at the end of a race when most of the support has gone is a different kind lonely on a run. I walked far more than I wanted to but everything was just stopping working now and my only distraction was my little side quest of acquiring gels for Chris. Shuffling my way back into the town centre that last mile was just cruel, people who’d finished and collected kit and bikes wandering across the run course barely taking notice of the few of us left out on and the only bit of support was the crowd at the finish. Some how I dragged my ass up that red carpet on my worst performance to date and I finished a broken shell. Everything I had to give got given and I’m pretty sure that’s going to show in my finish line picture. I ended that race feeling completely empty and so sad and frustrated but as Chris has pointed out I still did the same distance as everyone else and I still finished. Time to recover now and have a word with myself and at some point I might realise what I pulled off.
Well done Katie, great (tough) race and super report!
I’ve got you under my skin
I’ve got you deep in the heart of me
So deep in my heart that you’re really a part of me
I’ve got you under my skin
I tried so not to give in
I said to myself, ‘this affair never will go so well’
But why should I try to resist when, baby, I know so well
I’ve got you under my skin.
Sefton Park mud, it got everywhere and we all brought a little of you home with us! Well maybe not Dan! 😂
Mid Lancs Cross Country fixture two was Sefton Park, part of UK Athletics Cross Challenge series. Elite athletes racing alongside the top talent of the north west clubs and us! 😄 This year the senior men were treated to a shorter course identical to the ladies route. Over the course of the afternoon the green green grass turned a rather ominous brown colour but more on the mud later.
Four ladies represented Harriers, Rachel, Lisa, Jayne and Kelly Marie (not pictured).
In challenging conditions the ladies did really well and still managed a great smile afterwards. We do need more people taking part so please join them! Look at those joyous faces! ☺️
The men were tasked with going last. Long sections of muddy grass were now ready to suck the life out of our limbs! A few more men but we still need more at the next events.
Men representing Harriers were Mark M-H (who we managed to miss out of every photo! 😂) Sanjay, Dan, John H, Adam, George, Mike, Simon T, Mark , Wes and Dave C. For some it was the first time experiencing the Sefton downhill charge and a few muddy patches could cause a few stumbles in that frenzy!
Between races, trying to capture all of us there.
And now looking slightly dirtier! 😂
I’m pleased to report all the men made it round 3 laps in one piece! There was plenty of jockeying for position and trading places. It was a job well done! Congratulations to all Harriers who represented the club. 👏
Opting for something less muddy but very wet was Martyn. Getting revved up for some laps of the iconic Silverstone race circuit. He managed to blast out a PB at the Silverstone F1 Runfest over Half Marathon distance, well done Martyn.
Quietly knocking out (Quiet? Ok we know that’s not possible!) another Half was Franco at the Benidorm Half Marathon. Fantastic effort again! 🇮🇹
What’s left?
Wilmslow Festive 10k of course. A massive Harriers turnout for this one. A fairly level loop starting from the town centre and finishing on the outskirts, it’s become a popular race event for Harriers. We had everything – PB’s, comeback runs, pacing friends, plans going awry! Don’t worry be proud of what you achieved! Too many Harriers to name check and we haven’t got photos of everyone. It’s the rich diversity of you all that makes a great running club so well done everyone! ⚫🔴⚫💪
And yes we are a few weeks behind with the news reports, sometimes life overtakes running! 💨💨
Any signs of the current Frank Sinatra sound bite phase stopping? Maybe but not this week. This is one of the verses John H was caught singing in the shower today after a long overdue return to racing! Well done John (On the race not the singing! 😂).
“Haven’t felt like this, my dear
Since I can’t remember when
It’s been a long, long time.”
Back to the serious stuff… Saturday was a quieter day this week, thank goodness!
Heading south for the Alton Towers 10k was Paul. An undulating course with access to the rides thereafter, perfect for the thrill seeking runners out there! Well done Platty! 💪
Now onto Sunday moving south and warmer (seems like semi permanently! 😂) was Caroline to the Coix 10k. Another of the low cost/high reward races that Spain seems to manage so well. The Browns cleaned up and both took away prizes! Great work!
Back to damp blighty! In Heaton Park, Manchester were a series of MoRunner races. Mark ran with his son Joe in the Half. Well done to you both! 💪
In the 10k were Jamie and Rebecca. Well done as there are plenty of hills in that park! 👏
South West of Preston at Hutton were the Preston 5 and 10 mile races held by Preston Harriers. Before metric distances these were commonly run events. A number of Harriers were hoping to clinch club standards. 📈
A five mile loop, which was run twice for the 10 mile option.
In the 10 mile race were Jamie and Kelly Marie. In the 5 mile race were John, Alex, Phil, Joe, Liam and Dave (who is also rumoured to have contemplated a few lines of the song!). Some super performances from everyone and great to see John back racing.
I’ve gone early with this week’s publication (Got Dinner to cook!). If I missed you then I’ll add you in. Well done everyone, hope you all had a cracking weekend!
Coming after New York New York, a theme was needed for this week. Just as well Harriers were out in force at Warrington.
“Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all, and I stood tall
And did it my way“
It seemed rude not to borrow from Frank again but we might struggle next week though! Any Frank fans? 😂
The Warrington Way, a 40 mile circuit around the countryside surrounding Warrington (of course). Open to solo runners, pairs and teams of 4 with the changeover points doubling up as checkpoints. It’s become a firm favourite with Harriers particularly as a team event.
Congratulations to Phil who was a solo finisher in his first Ultra! 💪
There was no shortage of photos so here’s just a small selection.
It’s fair to say the relay teams had a little success! 1st, 3rd and 4th for the Men and an even more impressive 1st, 2nd and 3rd for the Ladies. The men also managed to break the relay course record, well done to George, Ben, John and Jonathan, an incredible performance.
Well done to the first ladies team of Lucy, Emily, Lisa and Natalie.
It’s at this point where I’ve bailed out name checking everyone for fear of missing one person and also conscious that this report is nowhere close to being finished and it’s already Monday night. A hearty congratulations to everyone who represented the club in fantastic fashion! ⚫🔴⚫
Meanwhile closer to Manchester, Tim was building fitness at a Manchester Area Cross Country League fixture. Of course our reporters didn’t miss this! Well done Tim, excellent performance on what looked like pleasantly dry grass! 👏
Heading south, Franco was having yet another marathon weekend away with a 5k aperitif. Athens was this week’s sunny destination. Well done! 🏅
Are you keeping up? Still on Saturday and we aren’t finished!
A truly exhausting weekend of racing continues at Tatton Park (Home of next year’s Northern XC Championships btw!). This was for the Run Tatton Park Half Marathon. Hoping to stay out of the mud (especially as it wasn’t supposed to be trail!) was Paul who had a great run, well done! 💪 A lone Harrier but another race we had someone competing! 👏
Our friends at Billinge Running Club were hosting the Three Counties Trot. “5 miles of classic Billinge running club trails”. Three Harriers were taking on those trails Pauline, Adele and Jodie, great work Ladies, good to see those vests in a local race!👏
10 years of fast Podium 5k races were being celebrated this year. Held on a bike track with multiple laps, it’s legendary for producing lightning times! Rachel, Faisal and Josh. Some great racing with super times! Illness probably robbing Faisal of a first sub 17 with 17.01. Well done Harriers! 💪
Onto Sunday now and flying back to Athens, Franco was on stage 2 of his weekend medal hunt, just a marathon! We captured a few images from the race. Much fist waving at the suggestion the medals were running out! 🏅(Only joking of course!)
Lytham St Annes is our next and final destination. The Windmill Remembrance Day 10k race, a long standing popular event on the north west racing calendar that has a two minute silence before the start. Taking on the poppy day challenge were Gaz (double race weekend!), Mark (GB Sticks), Jamie H, Lydia, Christina, Ben L and Aimee L With decent running conditions it was a well attended event with 1,361 finishers. Unfortunately we don’t have pictures of them all! They did really well and it was fantastic to see such a good turnout considering all the other events on this weekend! 👏
Finally well done to all our Athletes who competed in Hyrox and any other events we may have missed! A spectacular weekend of racing!
We don’t usually share our Runner of the month updates on here but we will moving forward.
October – Matt
The month of October has been once again another busy month for many of our club runners with plenty of events happening home and abroad, but one person has stood out the most and your club coaches are happy to announce Matt as their choice for ‘Runner of the Month’.
October the 5th was when Matt completed his 14 days of 14 miles challenge in aid of Food Allergy Awareness and raising money for the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. Now 222 miles in 2 weeks is not only a physically challenge but also mentally draining but Matt absolutely smashed this with loads of support from friends and family. An incredible achievement and everyone commends you on your inspirational display.
Focusing on his next challenge which happened to be the very next day – The Chester Marathon. As I’m sure you are all aware running all those miles beforehand and then to go to Chester and come away with a time of 3.14.56 is unthinkable but Matt achieved this with sheer drive and determination.
Congratulations Matt on your impressive month of running. Well done!
wiganharriersendurance 