The ladies team finished a superb 19th team at the Northern Road Relays a huge improvement on previous years. An out and back coastal route by the seaside provided the perfect setting.
Laura Lombard headed out on first leg. She ran a decent leg, bouncing back to life in the last mile bringing the girls home in 18th place (22:07).
On the second leg was Heather Brown modelling the Bolton vest for the first time. At only 6k long, this was a relative sprint for the marathon trainee and she ran brilliantly overtaking another runner and finishing in 23:29.
Rachel Bailey put on another fine performance as she continues to get quicker and quicker. She brought the team home in 12th picking off 5 other runners (24:02) with her mum on hand to capture the action.
We were in safe hands with Katie Percival on our final leg. Having broken the sub 20 min 5k barrier early in the season Katie did what she had to do (beat the Bolton’s men’s final position!) and brought the happy team home in 19th position (25:49). A great team effort and successful day out in Redcar!
Bolton Harriers took a fine team to the Northern Road Relays on the 18th September with a great mix of experienced long time harriers blended with relative newcomers to running.
Danny Shaw, fresh from track pb’s over the summer led the men out on leg 1 bringing the team home in 27th in a superb time of 18:48. Previously a hockey player, Danny saw the light and has reaped the rewards as he has fully committed to running. He showed great determination and was really pleased with his performance.
Next out of the traps was the birthday boy. Such is his dedication to the blue and yellow vest Martin Reid had decided the road relays were how he wanted to mark his 40th. Arriving to the event wearing a birthday boy rosette ensured maximum birthday greetings from passing strangers. The newest vet40 on the block ran brilliantly overtaking 4 teams and coming home in 19:24. Happy Birthday!
Tony Valentine took over on the third leg.
The highly ranked master’s athlete continued the overtaking cruising past another team bringing Bolton into 22nd position (19:47).
Jonothan Kay opting to run a middle leg, ran a solid race and was the team’s fastest leg of the day (18:46). Having been hampered with a string of injuries, these are now gone and he can look forward to returning to his faster former self as training progresses.
Jordan Brophy, one of our newest members took up the next leg. Jordan, a talented engineer took to running during lockdown. Having noticed on Strava that people were running round in circles nearby he emailed the club and is now a solid member of Dave Shaw’s training group. He ran 22:35 bringing the team to 26th.
This is where things got interesting as in order to qualify for National Road relays the team were required to finish top 25. Will Tomlinson took up the anchor leg opting for a few energetic high fives as he passed his supporters. Previously a footballer he decided running in straight lines were better on his knees and is another talented new recruit to the training group. Large gaps had by this time built up. He maintained excellent form and ran 21:30 for the team to finish in 27th position.
So close, but yet so far……But hang on, a quick check of the T&C’s by coach Dave Shaw revealing Bolton Men’s team had infact finished inside the top 25 ‘A’ teams with a couple of ‘B’ teams ahead meant they had done just enough. A perfect team effort and they were off to the National Road Relays in October!
‘Bolton’s Baywatch’ enjoyed a post race dip in the sea. Luckily Tony had remembered to bring an under sized towel and under sized tent for some under sized changing facilities.
To be continued in Sutton Park Birmingham on 9th October…….
Kayli English had a great finish to the last race meet of the 2021 season with 2 PB’s in Coventry at the BWAA Grand Prix on September 11th. Kayli competed in 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m. The PB’s came in the 100m and 800m. Now onto winter training in preparation for 2022.
Sunday 14th September saw a fantastic Bolton Harriers turn out at the Wilmslow Running Festival Half Marathon and 10k race and great performances.
Postponed for many months, there was a great vibe and excitement in the air as large scale racing returned. With music blaring, the well coordinated lycra clad warm up ladies led the pre race warm up with some enthusiastic side stepping and over the head clapping.
As the gun fired Martin Reid took a commanding lead in the 10k having powered himself up with a homemade caffeine concoction to shake off any tiredness from a friend’s 40th birthday party the night before. Martin’s decision to sit out Macarena in order to rest his racing legs paid dividends as he won convincingly by over a minute setting a new course record of 32:54. Not one to soak up the lime light Martin left quickly as he had somehow found himself in the starting line up for a football match with a team of ex Man City pros in need of a goal keeper. He was pleased with his goalkeeping performance having ‘only conceded 2 goals’.
Laura Lombard won the ladies 10k in a new course record. As she turned the first bend an old man stood at his garden gate gave some words of encouragement ‘come on girl, you show these boys how it’s done’. Armed with these words of wisdom, Laura ran a well paced raced crossing the 5k point in just under 19 mins. As the race doubled back on the out going half marathon runners a sea of blue and yellow Bolton vests lifted spirits and she maintained her pace to the finish line in 37:52 and winning by 2 minutes.
Mark Wolstencroft was first home in the half marathon for Bolton and ran a solid race finishing in 1:22:50 and fifth V55. Capable of a sub 1:20 performance, this will come as he continues to train consistently.
Heather Brown, continuing to demonstrate great potential in her build up to Manchester Marathon was fifth lady home in a new pb of 1:27:26. The new recruit ran an excellently well paced race cheered on by boyfriend Will.
With the Bolton girl’s showing great potential and motivation, Rachel Bailey was third back for Bolton with a fantastic performance and huge pb in 1:35:57. Rachel is in fine form and preparing well for Manchester Marathon.
Bolton Coach Ady Costello had a great turn out from his training group and was delighted that they had all run really well; Gary Porteous (1:37:59), James Rideout (1:39:14), Scott Bracey (1:38:47), Dominic Sohor (1:39:29), Rebecca Millington (1:47:15), Max Garner (1:52:42), Mary Cheung (1:54:21), Hannah Edwards (02:09:24).
A big thank you to all Bolton Harriers athletes who competed in the YDL League Meeting at Richmond St Athletics Stadium Saturday 4th September: Mark Lintott, Edan Penketh, Herbie Kay, William Lacey, Vincent Worthington, Poppy Dunne, Mia Makin, Isobel Hall, Isobel Oxley, Emma Begg, Jennifer Ekiugbo, Noah Pickford, Ralphie Shore, Nathaniel Knowles, Alfie Dodds, Christopher Frank, Matilda Hall, Ellie Deavall, Iris Beca, Aliyah Martin, Jessica Swales, Scarlett Thompson, Allyssia May, Pricess Iwelu, Alexander Preston and Cerys Jones.
Emma Begg made her Bolton debut and duly won the U15 girls pole vault with a clearance of 1m 85. Matilda Hall competed in her first high jump competition, won the A string with 1m 35 and then took the U13 Long jump win too with another PB of 4m 14.
Bolton were dominant in the field and scored more points than any other club on the day. Ellie Deavall epitomised the have a go attitude of many of the athletes as she won the U13 girls A string javelin and Alfie Dodds scored an A string win in the U13 boys shot put.
U15 William Lacey was in imperious form winning three throwing events, discus, shot and hammer.
As in the previous matches this season Bolton’s U15 male sprinters were dominant. Mark Lintott and Vincent Worthington both won their 100 and 200m races for a clean sweep. They followed this up with a comprehensive win in the 4x100m relay along with team mates Herbie Kay and Edan Penketh.
The U13 girls relay team weren’t to be outdone. The quartet of Matilda Hall, Ellie Deavall, Allyssia May and Princess Iwelu led from the start and won by 15m. This is even more impressive as all the girls are at the lower end of the age group and will be an even stronger team next year.
At this years opening YDL match the girls u13 relay team consisting of Aliyah Martin, Matilda Hall, Allyssia May and Summer Eden smashed the club record and ran the second fastest time in the country this year. It shows the massive strength in depth there is in female sprinting at Bolton Harriers.
On Saturday 21st August Cathy took her part in the British Masters Championships held in Derby. These are the British Championships for athletes over 35 years old and races are run in 5 year age categories. She ran in the F55-59 age category in the 1500m manufacturing an absolutely super performance to take Gold in a time of 5:36.
Cathy has been competing in Masters events since 2015 and thoroughly enjoys racing against other athletes of the same age. She said “it has been really beneficial this year competing in the Northern League for Bolton Harriers”. She has been producing some strong points winning performances and this in turn has helped her race fitness enormously in the build-up to this event.
Alderley Edge Bypass 10k
An out and back race on the smooth tarmac of a fully closed road, broken only by live bands every 1k, proved a perfect setting for some excellent running from some blue vest’s. Martin Reid continued his fine form this year with a time of 33:36. He was followed home by Jordan Lee in 38:20 and Joe Grisdale comfortably broke 40 for the first time in 39:38. Our only lady representative Rachel Bailey continues to improve and came home in 41:19.
Mid Cheshire Summer 5k
Three more of Dave Shaw’s group made their way to Kingsley in Cheshire for a Friday evening cavalry charge. Running Mayor Rob Short cast off his robe and charged home in a pb of 16:51. Not to be outdone his partner Katie Percival kept up her improvement since joining Harriers and also got a pb of 19:56. Mark Wolstencroft continued to defy the years but was himself just a few seconds shy of a pb in a time of 17:54.
Bolton Parkrun
Bolton Harriers provided the winner this week in the guise of Phil Hardman romping home in a time of 19:09. Dave Chrystal has had a tough time this year but is now getting back to enjoying his running again and came home in 5th spot with a time of 21:25.
Bolton Harrier’s top fell runner finally got the opportunity after Lockdown to visit his family in the Isle of Man. Not one just to relax for the week, he also decided to enter a couple of the events in the No Rest For The Wicked series taking place on the island.
An hour after getting off the boat on Wednesday 11th August Andy was at the start of the Killer Mile Race from Marine Drive, Douglas. This was 1 mile with a daunting 591 feet of ascent up to the radio masts at Upper Howe. 175 entrants were set off in groups of 5, and after just under 9 minutes of lung bursting, energy sapping, thigh burning effort Andy had reached the summit for a top 50 finish.
Friday 13th August saw the Peel Heritage Trail Run. An undulating course of around 7 miles following an old railway track with a scenic coastal path to finish. On a beautiful evening with the sun going down behind Peel castle Andy romped home in just under 50 minutes. As can be the way in that part of the world results are still to be announced.
Commercial property solicitor Heather Brown, and latest lady recruit to Dave Shaw’s talented squad of Bolton Harriers runners, only signed up for the Rochdale 10k five hours before the race. She entered after the persuasion of partner, and another new recruit, in Will Tomlinson.
The venue was an undulating single lap course at Springfield Park, Rochdale with good conditions for running thankfully.
What an inspired decision it turned out to be with Heather storming home as First Lady in a great time of 41;05. Proving also where there’s a Will there’s a way ! Will made it a great evening for this eminently likeable couple with a super top 10 finish in 37;03.
Heather is currently in training for the Manchester Marathon in October and enjoying training with our club after the couple joined in June.
She said “I love training with Dave and the rest of the group. We train hard but have a good laugh at the same time. It also provides me with some good headspace after a hard day’s graft at the office. I haven’t run for any other clubs or ran in competition before. I am hopeful of exciting times ahead as my running ‘career’ gets more serious !
Bolton Harriers Endurance Group coach Adrian Costello took 11 members to the annual Ramsbottom Summer Mile on Tuesday 11th August.
Totally alien to a group who normally don’t get out of bed for less than 10k they still came away with some great performances.
Coach Costello had prepared them well with a training session the week before at the Nuttall Park venue.
Club Warrior Ryan Kirkman was first blue vest back in a time of 5;33. Ryanman, as he is now known, had recently entered Ironman for the first time after months of arduous training and would have finished under 12 hours but for the misfortune of a puncture in the cycling event.
Rachel Bailey has been running really well for the club in recent league matches gaining lots of valuable points. She continued the excellent form coming home First Lady in a time of 5;42.
The Endurance Group have some really tough ladies totally accustomed to the mental and physical challenges that full and half marathons, biathlons and triathlons bring, in the form of Beka Millingon, Cherry Collison, Mary Cheung and Hannah Edwards. Beka 6;34, Cherry 6;40, Mary 7;01 and Hannah 7;13 all put their heart and soul into what is virtually a sprint for them.
Massively dedicated and improving trio of Dominic Sohor 6;02, Gary Porteous 6;13 and Mark Garner 6;20 continue to impress. All three put a lot of effort, not just into training, but away from the club also in their own running.
Husband and Wife club stalwarts Gary 6;25 and Catherine Jones 8;03 have been donning the club vest for many years now. Both are popular members who represent the club with great pride.
Coach Adrian Costello is in training for the London Marathon. He is running like a man possessed at the moment, and rumour has it he is posting that many sessions he caused the Strava platform to crash recently ! He showed he is no slouch at the shorter distances finishing in a great time of 6;29.
The club sends congratulations to all of them and thanks them for a job well done.
In the final Senior League meeting of the season Bolton Harriers produced a very strong track performance with lots of their premier runners on show. Bolton once again had the highest points on the track and if the club can work on getting more Field athletes out next season prospects will look very bright indeed.
Highlights on the day saw a Senior league debut appearance by Jake Harwood, a U17 sprinter from Les Hall’s sprint group. Looking a little worried beforehand, he soon blew away those nerves with a win in his opening event the 100m B race with a PB equalling time of 11.9 seconds. He backed up Ben To who just before had bolted home in convincing fashion to win the A race in 11.2 seconds. Both athletes then repeated the trick in the 200 metres with Jake clocking a pb.
In the Women’s sprints Hannah Kelly & Abi Adeniji matched their male counterparts achievements by winning both the 100 & 200m A and B races respectively in convincing fashion.
This was backed up by Olivia Kimbowa A and Katie Eckersley B in the 400m both winning their respective races handsomely taking maximum points. A seasons best from Katie just narrowly missing out on a sub 60 clocking in 60.4 seconds. This boded well for a Senior league 4x400m club record attempt later in the day.
Rebecca Reid showed her versatility competing well in the throws and long jump despite coming back from injury and she epitomised the team spirit in gaining valuable points.
In the middle distance events, Bolton welcomed back Jonny Kay from injury for his first senior outing and he won easily in a 800 & 1500m double. He was backed up with a 2nd place finish in the 800 B from Tony Valentine and Martin Reid in the 1500m as the two Harriers posted maximum points with Reid clocking 4.09.5 for a seasons best.
In the Women’s middle distance events Rachel Bailey had a storming finish in her 800m tracking a number of athletes to power past them in the last 100m to win the A race with a new PB of 2.22.1. She was backed up by the evergreen Cathy Flitcroft who wasn’t to be outdone posting a 4 seconds season best in a time of 2.44 dead.
Both athletes were obviously hungry for more and they repeated their excellent performances on the day with Rachel beating her 1500m previous best breaking 5 minutes for the first time in 4.59.6, and Cathy beating her age related Northern Masters record by 4 seconds again in a time of 5.35.5. A double double for both athletes !
In the longer races Bolton had another debutant in the women’s 3000m with U17 athlete Ruby Erzan-Essien taking 4th place with a new PB herself in 11.23. Beka Millington, who is currently in marathon training, came in with a very creditable 4th place in the B race with a time of 13.18.
In the Men’s 5000m, Tony Valentine doubling up from his earlier 800m race, took 2nd place in the A in 16.07 chased in by Tommy Harrison taking maximum points in the B in 16.16 with a seasons best on the track.
Brian Hall was imperious in the jumps especially the High Jump his specialist event, winning with a seasons best 1m 90 and clocking up excellent team points in the Triple Jump also winning the A with a leap of 12m 20 cms. Brian wasn’t finished there however as he came 2nd in the Long Jump A (5m 42cm) and he won the 110m Hurdles B. He was backed up by club chairman Scott Whittle, showing no ill effects from his recent stag night, winning the 110m hurdles A and Long Jump B. Scott had also won the 400m hurdles A race passing the Bury athlete after the last hurdle to take victory.
In the Women’s relays both the 4x100m and 4x400m teams were looking to try and take the win but also the club records.
The 4x100m team, including International representative Hannah Kelly and backed up by Abi Adeniji, Fola Fasehun and Olivia Kimbowa, went close but were denied a club record but still took a very easy victory in a time of 50.2 seconds.
The 4x400m women’s squad went one better not only winning but achieving a club senior record in a time of 4;01;09.Katie Eckersley ran the first leg bringing the baton back in first place with a good lead before handing over to Olivia Kimbowa. She extended the lead further before handing over to Rachel Bailey on 3rd leg who ran strongly to pass to Hannah Kelly on the last leg. The team by now were well away from the rest and Kelly brought the baton home to take the win by nearly 15 seconds!
Team Manager Scott Whittle was very pleased with the attitude, commitment and team Spirit of the athletes both on the day and throughout the season. He said “hopefully we can get the throws and field events stronger and more consistent next year, and the club will be looking for promotion and hopefully win the League. He also wished to thank the Timekeepers and Officials who volunteered for the club and without who we wouldn’t be able to compete in the events and also themselves gain massive points for the club in each match”.
Julia Winogrodzka took bronze in the Polish u18 championships on Saturday 31st July in the 100m hurdles. She clocked a new PB in 13.89 secs. Julia and her family have recently moved back to Poland having been a member of Bolton Harriers for 7 years. During her time at the club she won many national, regional and county medals. She holds many of the clubs U13, U15 and U17 female records. Good luck to Julia in the next stage of her athletics journey from all at Bolton Harriers.
Sunday 25th July saw the annual Race The Train event. Human versus machine as runners set off to beat the steam engine from Bury Station to Rawtenstall Station.Rachel Bailey, Beka Millington and Thomas Gore from Bolton Harrier’s Endurance Group, took off at the sound of the guard’s whistle along dusty railside trails and the River Irwell.All three had gathered their own head of steam, kept on track (bar a fall for Rachel) for 11 gruelling miles in warm temperatures, and arrived on Rawtenstall platform before the ‘Fat Controller’ had finished his tea and biscuits and welcomed the train to a hissing, steaming halt. A victorious morning for our trio of ‘Blue Vests’.Rachel was first lady back in 1;20;11, Thomas clocked 1;19;33 and Beka 1;33;31. Congratulations to all three of them.
