Lancashire
Newsdesk
29 Nov 2024
Blackpool's Fast & Fun Festival
28 Nov 2024
Winter Warmer Back In 2025
22 Nov 2024
Make A Date In Darwen
21 Nov 2024
Three Thrilling Trails
Race Listing for Lancashire
Date | Event | Location | Results |
---|---|---|---|
08 Dec 2024 | Beacon Bash | Scout Hut, Appley Bridge | Results |
08 Dec 2024 | Blackburn 10K | Ewood Park, Blackburn | Results |
08 Dec 2024 | Longridge Xmas Pudding 7 | Civic Hall, Longridge | Results |
13 Dec 2024 | Power of 5K December | Salt Ayre Sports Centre, Morecambe | |
14 Dec 2024 | Rudolph 5 | Blackpool Zoo, Blackpool | |
14 Dec 2024 | Tolkien Winter Trail | Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe | |
15 Dec 2024 | Big Santa Dash Fun Runs | 3-1-5 Health Club, Lancaster | |
15 Dec 2024 | Peel to St Johns Trail Run 3 | Peel, Isle of Man | |
15 Dec 2024 | Big Santa Dash Half Marathon, 10K & Fun Run | 3-1-5 Health Club, Lancaster | |
15 Dec 2024 | Festive Farm Yard Five | Farm Yard Brew Co, Lancaster | |
21 Dec 2024 | Hurst Green Turkey Trot | St Peters Catholic Club, Hurst Green | |
26 Dec 2024 | Worden Park Boxing Day 10K | Worden Park, Leyland | |
27 Dec 2024 | Festive 4K Fun Run | Salt Ayre Leisure Centre, Lancaster | |
29 Dec 2024 | Ribble Valley 10K | Edisford Bridge Leisure Centre, Clitheroe | |
01 Jan 2025 | Clowbridge 5K NYD | Rossendale Valley Sailing Club, Burnley | |
05 Jan 2025 | Central Lancashire New Year Half Marathon | St Marys Primary School, Preston | |
07 Jan 2025 | Northern AC Winter Road Series Race 4 | Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey, Isle of Man | |
11 Jan 2025 | Bowland Ultra | Village Hall, Slaidburn | |
12 Jan 2025 | Garstang 10K | Garstang Community Academy, Garstang | |
19 Jan 2025 | East Lancashire Hospice 10K | Alan Ramsbottom Way, Great Harwood | |
25 Jan 2025 | Petzl Nightrunner Rivington | Rivington & Blackrod High School, Bolton | |
26 Jan 2025 | St Anne's 10 Miler | YMCA Swimming Pool, Lytham St Annes | |
26 Jan 2025 | Morecambe Festival of Running January | The Duke of Rothesay, Morecambe | |
01 Feb 2025 | Pendle Way In A Day | Barley, East Lancs | |
02 Feb 2025 | Peel to St Johns Trail Run 4 | Peel, Isle of Man | |
02 Feb 2025 | Blackburn Winter Warmer 10K & Fun Run | Witton Park Arena, Blackburn | |
04 Feb 2025 | Northern AC Winter Road Series Race 5 | Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey, Isle of Man | |
09 Feb 2025 | Caldervale Muddy Shoes 5M & 11M | Village Hall, Caldervale | |
09 Feb 2025 | Mad Dog 10K | Stanley High School, Southport | |
09 Feb 2025 | Williamson Park Half Marathon & 10K | Williamson Park, Lancaster | |
15 Feb 2025 | Parbold Hill Race | Bispham Durnings School, Hilldale, nr Parbold | |
16 Feb 2025 | Great North West Half Marathon | North Promenade, Blackpool | |
16 Feb 2025 | Valentines 10K | George & Dragon Public House, Lancaster | |
23 Feb 2025 | Lostock 6 Mile | Barnstomers, Lostock Lane, Lostock | |
23 Feb 2025 | Stanley Park 10K | Stanley Park, Blackpool | |
01 Mar 2025 | Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round | Barley Village Hall, Burnley | |
02 Mar 2025 | Take The Fell 10K & 20K | Beacon Fell Country Park, Preston | |
02 Mar 2025 | New Longton 10K | All Saints Primary School, New Longton, Preston | |
04 Mar 2025 | Northern AC Winter Road Series Race 6 | Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey, Isle of Man | |
09 Mar 2025 | Granny's Bay Challenge | Spitfire Memorial, Lytham St Annes | |
09 Mar 2025 | Trimpell 20M & 10K | 3-1-5 Health Club, Lancaster | |
16 Mar 2025 | LABC Runners 5K | Littleborough Boxing & Fitness Club, Littleborough | |
16 Mar 2025 | Daffodil Doddle | Abbey Village, Chorley | |
16 Mar 2025 | Run Wigan Festival | Town Centre, Wigan | |
16 Mar 2025 | Garstang Gallop 7M | Garstang Sports & Social Club, Preston | |
16 Mar 2025 | Roddlesworth Roller | Abbey Village CP School, Chorley | |
20 Mar 2025 | Isle of Man Easter Festival 5K Road Race | Douglas Promenade, Isle of Man | |
22 Mar 2025 | Leighton Hall & AONB Trail Races | Leighton Hall, Carnforth | |
22 Mar 2025 | Pendle 5 Mile Trail Race | Pendle Inn, Barley | |
29 Mar 2025 | Mother's Day 10K | George & Dragon Pub, Lancaster | |
05 Apr 2025 | Pendle Fell Race | Village Hall, Burnley | |
06 Apr 2025 | Fleetwood Spring 10K | Model Boating Lake, Fleetwood | |
06 Apr 2025 | Darwen Heritage Half Marathon | Blacksnape Playing Fields, Darwen | |
06 Apr 2025 | Brun Valley Trail 10K | Thompson Park, Burnley | |
06 Apr 2025 | Race to the Castle 10K | Holiday Inn, Lancaster | |
09 Apr 2025 | Ossy Moors Fell Race | Britannia Tap & Grill, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington | |
13 Apr 2025 | Bolton Wanderers Community 10K | Toughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton | |
15 Apr 2025 | Baxenden 5K Trail Race | Dog & Partridge, Baxenden, Accrington | |
18 Apr 2025 | Good Friday 10 Mile Caldervale | Caldervale Village Hall, Preston | |
18 Apr 2025 | Isle of Man Easter Festival 10K | Port Erin, Isle of Man | |
19 Apr 2025 | Isle of Man Easter Festival Hill Race | Peel, Isle of Man | |
19 Apr 2025 | Manx Mountain Marathon & Half Marathon | Ramsey, Isle of Man | |
19 Apr 2025 | Wyre Easter Weekend 3 Day Challenge Event Race 1 | YMCA, Thornton Cleveleys Health & Fitness Centre, Thornton | |
20 Apr 2025 | Wyre Easter Weekend 3 Day Challenge Event Race 2 | Wyre Estuary Country Park, Thornton Cleveleys | |
21 Apr 2025 | Wyre Easter Weekend 3 Day Challenge Event Race 3 | Marine Hall Gardens, Fleetwood | |
24 Apr 2025 | Farm Yard Five | Farm Yard Brew Co., Lancaster | |
26 Apr 2025 | Blackpool Festival of Running Saturday | North Promenade, Blackpool | |
26 Apr 2025 | Pilling 10K & 5 Miles | Methodist Church, Pilling | |
26 Apr 2025 | Holcombe Howler Ultra, Half & 10K | Hare and Hounds Pub, Holcombe | |
26 Apr 2025 | Wray Scarecrow 10K | Wray Village Hall, Lune Valley | |
27 Apr 2025 | Blackpool Festival of Running Sunday | North Promenade, Blackpool | |
29 Apr 2025 | Whit'th Whippets Cowm Reservoir 5K April | Cock & Magpie, Whitworth | |
29 Apr 2025 | Orchan Rocks Fell Race | The Staff of Life Pub, Todmorden | |
29 Apr 2025 | Wray Caton Moor Fell Race | Bridge End Farm Tea Rooms, Wray | |
29 Apr 2025 | Ripley Supper Run | Ripley St Thomas School, Lancaster | |
04 May 2025 | Belfast City Marathon | Stormont, Belfast | |
04 May 2025 | Morecambe Half Marathon & 5K | Bare Methodist Church, Morecambe | |
09 May 2025 | Brockholes Bimble | Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston | |
10 May 2025 | Cottam Canter | UCLan Sports Arena, Preston | |
11 May 2025 | Scorton Trail Run | Gubberford Lane, Scorton | |
11 May 2025 | Yarrow River Bluebell 10K | Flaming Grill Pub, Chorley | |
11 May 2025 | Blacksticks Blue 10K | Whitechapel Village Hall, near Preston | |
11 May 2025 | Avenham Amble | Avenham Park Cafe, Preston | |
17 May 2025 | Caton Gala Windmill 10K | Caton Gala Field, near Lancaster | |
18 May 2025 | Edge Hill / Cystic Fibrosis Trust Fun Run | Edge Hill University, Ormskirk | |
18 May 2025 | Worden Park 10K & Fun Run | Worden Park, Leyland | |
18 May 2025 | 3-1-5 10th Birthday 10K | 3-1-5 Health Club, Lancaster | |
20 May 2025 | Abbeystead 4 Mile Supper Run | Over Wyresdale Village Hall, Abbeystead | |
24 May 2025 | Panopticons Ultra | Trawden, Pendle | |
28 May 2025 | Stanhill Fell Race | Britannia Tap & Grill, Oswaldtwistle | |
01 Jun 2025 | Morecambe 10K & 5K June | Station Promenade, Morecambe | |
07 Jun 2025 | Green Man Trail Run | The Green Man, Inglewhite | |
10 Jun 2025 | Coppice Fell Race | Whitakers Arms, Accrington | |
13 Sep 2025 | Born Survivor Lancashire | Gisburn, Ribble Valley | |
31 Oct 2025 | Spooktastic Halloween 5K | Heron's Reach, Blackpool |
About the area
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.
“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
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
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