Lancashire

Newsdesk

Race Listing for Lancashire

Date Event Location Results
08 Dec 2024 Beacon BashScout Hut, Appley BridgeResults
08 Dec 2024 Blackburn 10KEwood Park, BlackburnResults
08 Dec 2024 Longridge Xmas Pudding 7Civic Hall, LongridgeResults
13 Dec 2024 Power of 5K DecemberSalt Ayre Sports Centre, Morecambe
14 Dec 2024 Rudolph 5Blackpool Zoo, Blackpool
14 Dec 2024 Tolkien Winter TrailStonyhurst College, Clitheroe
15 Dec 2024 Big Santa Dash Fun Runs3-1-5 Health Club, Lancaster
15 Dec 2024 Peel to St Johns Trail Run 3Peel, Isle of Man
15 Dec 2024 Big Santa Dash Half Marathon, 10K & Fun Run3-1-5 Health Club, Lancaster
15 Dec 2024 Festive Farm Yard FiveFarm Yard Brew Co, Lancaster
21 Dec 2024 Hurst Green Turkey TrotSt Peters Catholic Club, Hurst Green
26 Dec 2024 Worden Park Boxing Day 10KWorden Park, Leyland
27 Dec 2024 Festive 4K Fun RunSalt Ayre Leisure Centre, Lancaster
29 Dec 2024 Ribble Valley 10KEdisford Bridge Leisure Centre, Clitheroe
01 Jan 2025 Clowbridge 5K NYDRossendale Valley Sailing Club, Burnley
05 Jan 2025 Central Lancashire New Year Half MarathonSt Marys Primary School, Preston
07 Jan 2025 Northern AC Winter Road Series Race 4Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey, Isle of Man
11 Jan 2025 Bowland UltraVillage Hall, Slaidburn
12 Jan 2025 Garstang 10KGarstang Community Academy, Garstang
19 Jan 2025 East Lancashire Hospice 10KAlan Ramsbottom Way, Great Harwood
25 Jan 2025 Petzl Nightrunner RivingtonRivington & Blackrod High School, Bolton
26 Jan 2025 St Anne's 10 MilerYMCA Swimming Pool, Lytham St Annes
26 Jan 2025 Morecambe Festival of Running JanuaryThe Duke of Rothesay, Morecambe
01 Feb 2025 Pendle Way In A DayBarley, East Lancs
02 Feb 2025 Peel to St Johns Trail Run 4Peel, Isle of Man
02 Feb 2025 Blackburn Winter Warmer 10K & Fun RunWitton Park Arena, Blackburn
04 Feb 2025 Northern AC Winter Road Series Race 5Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey, Isle of Man
09 Feb 2025 Caldervale Muddy Shoes 5M & 11MVillage Hall, Caldervale
09 Feb 2025 Mad Dog 10KStanley High School, Southport
09 Feb 2025 Williamson Park Half Marathon & 10KWilliamson Park, Lancaster
15 Feb 2025 Parbold Hill RaceBispham Durnings School, Hilldale, nr Parbold
16 Feb 2025 Great North West Half MarathonNorth Promenade, Blackpool
16 Feb 2025 Valentines 10KGeorge & Dragon Public House, Lancaster
23 Feb 2025 Lostock 6 MileBarnstomers, Lostock Lane, Lostock
23 Feb 2025 Stanley Park 10KStanley Park, Blackpool
01 Mar 2025 Stan Bradshaw Pendle RoundBarley Village Hall, Burnley
02 Mar 2025 Take The Fell 10K & 20KBeacon Fell Country Park, Preston
02 Mar 2025 New Longton 10KAll Saints Primary School, New Longton, Preston
04 Mar 2025 Northern AC Winter Road Series Race 6Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey, Isle of Man
09 Mar 2025 Granny's Bay ChallengeSpitfire Memorial, Lytham St Annes
09 Mar 2025 Trimpell 20M & 10K3-1-5 Health Club, Lancaster
16 Mar 2025 LABC Runners 5KLittleborough Boxing & Fitness Club, Littleborough
16 Mar 2025 Daffodil DoddleAbbey Village, Chorley
16 Mar 2025 Run Wigan FestivalTown Centre, Wigan
16 Mar 2025 Garstang Gallop 7MGarstang Sports & Social Club, Preston
16 Mar 2025 Roddlesworth RollerAbbey Village CP School, Chorley
20 Mar 2025 Isle of Man Easter Festival 5K Road RaceDouglas Promenade, Isle of Man
22 Mar 2025 Leighton Hall & AONB Trail RacesLeighton Hall, Carnforth
22 Mar 2025 Pendle 5 Mile Trail RacePendle Inn, Barley
29 Mar 2025 Mother's Day 10KGeorge & Dragon Pub, Lancaster
05 Apr 2025 Pendle Fell RaceVillage Hall, Burnley
06 Apr 2025 Fleetwood Spring 10KModel Boating Lake, Fleetwood
06 Apr 2025 Darwen Heritage Half MarathonBlacksnape Playing Fields, Darwen
06 Apr 2025 Brun Valley Trail 10KThompson Park, Burnley
06 Apr 2025 Race to the Castle 10KHoliday Inn, Lancaster
09 Apr 2025 Ossy Moors Fell RaceBritannia Tap & Grill, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington
13 Apr 2025 Bolton Wanderers Community 10KToughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton
15 Apr 2025 Baxenden 5K Trail RaceDog & Partridge, Baxenden, Accrington
18 Apr 2025 Good Friday 10 Mile CaldervaleCaldervale Village Hall, Preston
18 Apr 2025 Isle of Man Easter Festival 10KPort Erin, Isle of Man
19 Apr 2025 Isle of Man Easter Festival Hill RacePeel, Isle of Man
19 Apr 2025 Manx Mountain Marathon & Half MarathonRamsey, Isle of Man
19 Apr 2025 Wyre Easter Weekend 3 Day Challenge Event Race 1YMCA, Thornton Cleveleys Health & Fitness Centre, Thornton
20 Apr 2025 Wyre Easter Weekend 3 Day Challenge Event Race 2Wyre Estuary Country Park, Thornton Cleveleys
21 Apr 2025 Wyre Easter Weekend 3 Day Challenge Event Race 3Marine Hall Gardens, Fleetwood
24 Apr 2025 Farm Yard FiveFarm Yard Brew Co., Lancaster
26 Apr 2025 Blackpool Festival of Running SaturdayNorth Promenade, Blackpool
26 Apr 2025 Pilling 10K & 5 MilesMethodist Church, Pilling
26 Apr 2025 Holcombe Howler Ultra, Half & 10KHare and Hounds Pub, Holcombe
26 Apr 2025 Wray Scarecrow 10KWray Village Hall, Lune Valley
27 Apr 2025 Blackpool Festival of Running SundayNorth Promenade, Blackpool
29 Apr 2025 Whit'th Whippets Cowm Reservoir 5K AprilCock & Magpie, Whitworth
29 Apr 2025 Orchan Rocks Fell RaceThe Staff of Life Pub, Todmorden
29 Apr 2025 Wray Caton Moor Fell RaceBridge End Farm Tea Rooms, Wray
29 Apr 2025 Ripley Supper RunRipley St Thomas School, Lancaster
04 May 2025 Belfast City MarathonStormont, Belfast
04 May 2025 Morecambe Half Marathon & 5KBare Methodist Church, Morecambe
09 May 2025 Brockholes BimbleBrockholes Nature Reserve, Preston
10 May 2025 Cottam CanterUCLan Sports Arena, Preston
11 May 2025 Scorton Trail RunGubberford Lane, Scorton
11 May 2025 Yarrow River Bluebell 10KFlaming Grill Pub, Chorley
11 May 2025 Blacksticks Blue 10KWhitechapel Village Hall, near Preston
11 May 2025 Avenham AmbleAvenham Park Cafe, Preston
17 May 2025 Caton Gala Windmill 10KCaton Gala Field, near Lancaster
18 May 2025 Edge Hill / Cystic Fibrosis Trust Fun RunEdge Hill University, Ormskirk
18 May 2025 Worden Park 10K & Fun RunWorden Park, Leyland
18 May 2025 3-1-5 10th Birthday 10K3-1-5 Health Club, Lancaster
20 May 2025 Abbeystead 4 Mile Supper RunOver Wyresdale Village Hall, Abbeystead
24 May 2025 Panopticons UltraTrawden, Pendle
28 May 2025 Stanhill Fell RaceBritannia Tap & Grill, Oswaldtwistle
01 Jun 2025 Morecambe 10K & 5K JuneStation Promenade, Morecambe
07 Jun 2025 Green Man Trail RunThe Green Man, Inglewhite
10 Jun 2025 Coppice Fell RaceWhitakers Arms, Accrington
13 Sep 2025 Born Survivor LancashireGisburn, Ribble Valley
31 Oct 2025 Spooktastic Halloween 5KHeron's Reach, Blackpool

About the area

Lancashire

Lancashire beyond the great metropolitan centres of Manchester and Liverpool moves at a slower pace. Sure there are the traditional centres of Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn and Burnley, names resonant with sporting association, but there are beautiful natural places too like the Fylde peninsula, the Ribble Valley and the Forest of Bowland. It might be stretching things to suggest a rustic feel but it is less congested and features some terrific running spots, amid that abundance of great scenery.

The club scene is vibrant while Run England groups help introduce many beginners to the sport. Established names like Wesham Road Runners and Lancaster and Morecambe AC are well represented in the region's events.

Many clubs and groups also arrange their own events - we loved the imagination shown by Darwen Dashers. Who can resist entering their events - Aggies Staircase and Mr Sparkle's Dark Un. This time in In Your Area we speak to Jonathan Stubbs from the Dashers, who tells about these races and some of the more unorthodox events they're involved in.

We also catch up with Angus Murray from Lancaster and Morecambe AC, who reveals that the media interest around their recent 3K tribute to late comedian Eric Morecambe could lead to it becoming a regular occurrence.

Other notable events in the area include the Pennine Lancashire 10K which has grown considerably in the last three years, Blackpool Half Marathon and the Great North West Half Marathon. And it would be remiss when mentioning running events in the county not to include the Lancaster Race Series which features Morecambe Half Marathon, Elletson Arms Pilling 10K Series, and Trimpell 20M.

There is a strong network of retailers too making sure all runners are kitted out with the latest shoes and apparel, as well as providing valuable advice. National chain Sweatshop has stores in Chorley and Wrea Green (near Blackpool) and there is also The Runners Centre in Lancaster and Foot Traffic in Preston.

Check out some of what Lancashire has to offer to runners below.

Clubs in Lancashire

As Lancaster and Morecambe AC celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, we caught up with club accreditation officer, Angus Murray. He tells us about the club’s development and its plans for the future.

Lancaster and Morecambe AC“We haven’t organised anything for our anniversary yet,” Angus warns me. “But don’t worry, we’ll definitely have a celebration to mark the occasion,” he says reassuringly.  Angus is clearly a busy man, with around 450 members of the club.  Half of those, he explains, are younger members.

“We received a bit of an Olympic bounce after the 2012 Games in London, with a lot of younger members joining the club.  The club focuses quite strongly on the junior side of things so it’s great to see so many young athletes joining our ranks!”

Angus explains that the club have a team of coaches focussed on junior athletes. “We want to develop their skills and pick up good habits.  We are also now coaching our adult road runners to improve their running form and steer them away from some old habits and existing mindsets.”

Despite the ‘athletics’ tag, the club is very welcoming to all types of runners: “We’re a friendly club and are open to members of all ages and abilities. We have members who can do 33-minute 10ks and others who are more recreational runners.”

The club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Salt Ayre Sports Complex located midway between Lancaster and Morecambe.  The sessions vary according to the abilities of the members taking part.

As well as the annual the annual Three Bridges 10K and Lancaster 10K race, a new event was introduced to the club’s calendar this year.  And it could be set to become a regular feature.

Angus explains: “We held the Leg It With Eric 3K this year and it was a great success. The statue of Eric Morecambe was vandalised last year, with the leg being sawn off. It was replaced in January and the council wanted to do something to celebrate, so we organised a run along the prom.  It was great fun as everyone was wearing Eric-style spectacles.  Due to the novel nature of the event, it got a lot of press attention.  It may become a regular event to replace our Keep it Ticking race, which we used to hold. Watch this space.”

On the subject of notable members from the past and present, one name springs to Angus’s mind. “Mark Croasdale was a former member who was very fast. He took part in the Man vs. Horse Marathon in Wales a few times and whilst he didn’t beat the horse, he came pretty close!”

A quick search online confirms this, with times of 2:08 in 2000, compared to his equestrian chum’s 2:10, and 2:19 in 2003 to the horse’s 2:02.

On the social side of things, the club organises several nights out and hold an awards ceremony at Christmas for senior members, and one for junior members in January. There is also an event that pits the younger members against the old guard…

Angus explains: “One of the events we arrange to get juniors and seniors together is the Candle Lit Run. It’s held at Christmas time and sees an adult drawn against a junior member.  The adults usually specialise in road running and the kids in track and field.  It’s run over 1.5k. Sometimes you can get a bit unlucky and race against a particularly fast kid.  Though, it’s all in good fun of course.  The event is held along an unlit cycle track so there are candles along the way since it’s Christmas.”

For more information, visit their website.

Have we missed something? If you know of, or operate a club in Lancashire and would like to add it to our list, please get in touch with us here.

Running groups in Lancashire

Focus on Darwen Dashers

Darwen Dashers

Billing themselves as ‘the finest running club in Darwen. Beyond doubt.’  It’s clear Darwen Dashers aren’t lacking in confidence, or a sense of humour.  Chairman, Jonathan Stubbs, tells us more…

When did the club form?
In 1990 – a group of six guys with a passion for running decided to form a club and it’s grown from there.

How many members?
The numbers go up and down but right now we have about 140 members.

What ages and abilities?

40 and falling.  We don’t have a junior section but family members are welcome. One of the founding member’s grandsons is a member as it happens.  Though he’s 20 years old so definitely not a junior.

We’re a very social club so everyone’s welcome.  We have a beginners group run by six qualified Run England leaders.  They take a ten-week course and at the end of the course the members all take part in a parkrun.  Being able to complete a 5k is a great way to demonstrate the real improvement shown from people, some of whom have never run before.  Most of those runners progress to becoming full members of the club.

Where and when do you meet?
At the Sunnyhurst pub on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm.  Our beginners group meets on a Wednesday at 6:30pm at Darwen Leisure Centre.  Our sessions vary in distance according to ability and we train in various places including Winter Hill, Pendle Hill and the Darwen Moors. Most members also participate in our club championships across the country, but primarily in the North West.  Fell running in Rossendale is popular too.

What big events do you organise?
We have Aggies Staircase on 18 June and David Staff Memorial on 29 November, run in memory of a member who died from an undiagnosed heart defect  The clubs also hosts Tockholes Evening on 2 July.  Finally, this one’s a bit special - Mr Sparkle’s Dark Un.  It’s a head torch race so is held at night and includes a free chip butty afterwards.

What other events are you involved with?
There are several fell races in the area we organise.  Our members also take part in various parkruns.  We have about 80 people doing parkruns regularly, which is a fantastic turnout.  We hold a monthly event where we measure members’ improvement along a route.  The person who’s improved the most - not necessarily the fastest - wins a prize.  You find that those new to the club improve the most, whereas more experienced runners find it tougher to win that particular prize.

We also host something called Guessathon which is good fun.  We choose a destination and route, with each member having to guess how long it will take them to run it.  The person who’s closest to their guess is the winner.  We also take part in cross-country events such as the Red Rose Championships.

Tell me about the club’s magazine

We produce a monthly magazine called the Dash.  It’s available through our website but you can also get a hard copy.  It’s got lots of great details about our races and also features race reports.  We’re always keen to have new runners write reports about our events!

For more information on Darwen Dashers, go to www.dashers.org.uk

Have we missed something? If you know of or operate a running group in the Lancashire area and would like to add it to our list, then get in touch with us here

Services for runners in Lancashire

Sports Massage

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Physiotherapy

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Podiatry

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Personal Training

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Nutrition Advice

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If you are offering a service to runners - physiotherapy, sports massage, podiatry, personal training, nutrition advice etc please contact us here!

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