Athletics & Running Sports Section

Annual Reports

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2005 top

By Secretary PC Steven Broadbent

Running seems to go from strength to strength in terms of popularity. This is probably because it is one of the key 'keep fit' sports and playing costs are minimum. Also, there is much scope to encourage all skill levels of runners who can participate at both county and national events.

January - March - Northern Police Cross Country League

Again, well turned out with the Lancashire men scoring 4th place in the team event and ladies also scoring 4th place team.

February - Inter-Divisional Cross-Country

The section organises two annual Inter-Divisional events - a cross-country in February and a 10k road race in July. The Cross Country event was held at Witton Park, Blackburn. An excellent turn-out from Lancashire with 48 runners and a further 48 runners attending from other police northern league police forces. Despite freezing cold conditions and periodic snow flurries everyone had an enjoyable race.

Pennine Division took many of the prizes with 1st places men and women's teams. However, Central's Mike Riley and Northern's Anna Willets took the men and women's individual places.

March - Police Sport UK - Cross Country

The course will be hosted by Northumbria Police on Newcastle Town Moor close to the city centre. Fine, dry, sunny weather and blue skies greeted the 275 runners representing 36 UK police forces. Lancashires men's team had their best team performance for many years scoring 5th place overall. A good effort was also had from the three Lancashire ladies. The Lancashire male veteran 40+ team also scored well placed 8th overall.

May - British Police Fell Race

Lancashire Constabulary Athletics Section volunteered to organise the 2005 British Police Fell Race course.  I live in the neighbouring force area, Cumbria at the foot of the Howgill Fells. I thought it appropriate to stage this event over these somewhat 'forgotten' hills.

The highest of the Howgills stand at just over 2000 feet, Fell Head being the highest summit on the course. The range I picked tower elegantly above the M6 motorway and I am sure those travelling north on the M6 toward Scotland will often look across right and marvel at these 'elephant skin' like rolling hills.

On race day the Howgills were blessed with fine, dry and sunny weather. I started the day at 7.30 am running around the 11 mile course to place the check point markers. I had already run the course two days earlier to double check the coordinates, so my legs were a little tired.

As I climbed the last hill, Blease Fell, it was fairly apparent to me that I had set a rather 'mean' course. Having said this, I have to say it is a real 'fellrunners' course with everything on offer. Some gradual ascents and descents and some very steep ones to compliment. River crossings, grassy traverses, few rocks and plenty of very runnable, dry grassy slopes.

I completed the course in just over three hours arriving back in Tebay at 11 am to meet Ian Campbell, the race organiser.  Within minutes the first competitors began to arrive, congregating at the Cross Keys Inn. We had a total of 89 entries with 70 taking part on the day. These runners represented 15 British police forces. An excellent turnout.

The race started on time with conditions still being warm and sunny with broken cloud. The field soon spread out with Cheshire's Malcolm Fowler maintaining the lead throughout the race finishing the eleven mile course in 1.30.37. His younger Cheshire colleague, Ian Weatherill took advantage of Malcolm's form and good navigational skills but was unable to take a lead, finishing third to West Yorkshire's Jonathan Wright.

Derbyshire's Christine Howard was first lady and overall sixth place finishing in a tremendous 1.41, only eleven minutes behind Malcolm Fowler.

Third in 2004, Lancashire were placed 4th this year with Mike Riley (Central) having a tremendous run being placed 5th overall. Ian Pudge (Pennine) a good race and was 2nd home with Veteran 50+ Phil Corris being our third counter flying home in just over two hours.

The bulk of the field all finished this gruelling 3200 foot ascent course in under 2 hours 30 minutes.

I, acting as sweep (and completing my second lap of the day) and my faithful border collie, Cassie, followed the last runner home in 3.30, nicely timed for the presentation and a welcome hot meal at the Cross Keys Inn, Tebay.

Despite three check-point markers going AWOL during the race, the 2005 British Police Fell Race went tremendously well. There were only two retirements. This was a record number of finishers for some years and the only injuries reported were very sore calves!

June - Tiroleon Speed Marathon and Half Marathon- Austria

Five members of the section represented the force and competed in this International event in Austria in June. Ray Entwhistle and Steve Cooney (Pennine) David Watkinson (Southern) Shirley Worrall and Sue Harrison (HQ), Michael Horne and Steve Broadbent (Northern) ran this popular alpine downhill event.

Marathon

The start of the marathon race was at 4pm on Saturday from the Italian border town of Brenner. We travelled a short train journey from Steinach to Brenner arriving in good time to allow us a relaxing hour in an Italian street cafe in 90 degrees of glorious sunshine.

The start area was well organised. Baggage lorries and staff were on hand to collect kit right up to minutes before the race. We started on time in 'no man's land' between the Austrian/Italian borders. We headed into Italy some 2 km descending gently down the Italian side of the pass before turning back uphill to cross back into Austria. We then started to make the 2500 foot, 24 mile descent toward Innsbruck. Our race numbers seemed to be accepted as our 'passports' between the two counties!

Not so fast down!

When I first read about the Tyrolean Speed Marathon I thought this must be a PB event. However, I was disappointed to find that the 'downhill' didn't assist that much. Only a month earlier I achieved a 3.20 marathon time over an undulating course. Today I struggled to finish in 3.40. Somehow my speed did not increase on the descents, I only managed short bursts of speed before my legs wanted to resume their normal cruising speed. Much of the course was flat and certain sections were a little uphill.

Excellent Course

Despite the disappointment of the 'not so fast' speed marathon course the views along the 26 mile route were magnificent. For the first half of the race the sun shone and temperatures were 80 to 90 degrees. The second half of the run was a different story. The skies darkened with torrential rain, thunder and lightening during the final hour of the race right above us. The rain cooled me down nicely and I later learned this was the worse electrical storm in Austria for many years!

I finished in the lovely city of Innsbruck with excellent crowd support and was greeted by the half marathon team who had all finished the race.

Half Marathon

The bulk of the team opted for the half marathon that started just south of our village and traversed the same route into Innsbruck. The team achieved good finishing times despite the thunder storms that they also endured while entering Innsbruck.

Steve Cooney and Ray Entwistle finished together in an excellent time of 1.34. The remainder finished well in respectable half marathon times.

July - Police Sport UK - Track & Field Athletics

Seven members travelled to Derbyshire and attended the Derby Stadium. Star jumper, PC John Wiggans (Central) won silver medals in the Men's long jump and triple jumps.

Six other members of the Athletics Section also took part in a variety of track and field events. Sue Harrison and Shirley Worrall ran a gruelling 5000m race. Though only just over three miles the pace of the track pushes a runners speed and stamina to the limits and both ladies ran a tremendous race.

Dave Watkinson and Michael Horne competed in the veterans 5k and returned excellent times in very warm, sunny conditions.

Steve Broadbent competed in a pentathalon of track races including, 5k, 3k steeplechase, 3k race walk, 1500 metres then concluded with a 200 metre leg of the medley relay.

July - Inter-Divisional 10k

The section organises two annual Inter-Divisional events - a cross-country in February and a 10k road race in July.The ever popular summer 10K Road Race was very well supported totalling 90 entries from the force with 64 completing the 6.2 mile course on the night.

Our top male runners competed for the force against a large number of north-west running clubs. Shaun Brady (Northern), Mike Riley (Central), Stuart Williams (HQ) and Chris Shaw (Pennine) placed 8th, 15, 18th and 22nd overall. A tremendous team achievement. Anna Willetts (Northern) was first lady in a great time of 44.50.

September - Police Sport UK - 10 Mile Road Race

The 2005 event was hosted by the PSNI in Bangor, Northern Ireland. Eleven Lancashire athletes flew from Liverpool to Belfast on Friday 16 September for a three day stay in Bangor.

The race started early Saturday, at 10.10 am from Bangor Park. The police race followed the Bangor Classic 10k open race that started at 10 am. The Police Sport UK 10 mile course started with a lap around the park before passing through Bangor town centre. It then negotiated the coastline eastwards beside the Belfast Lough with views looking out to the Irish Sea. The course was one lap and predominantly flat with some contra-flow sections that allowed runners to see the lead runners pass by. However, there were some short inclines that reduced overall times fractionally.

The Lancashire team returned some tremendous finishing times. Mike Riley (Central Division) was first in just on the hour with five more of Lancashire runners under 70 minutes. The ladies put in great performances with Sue Harrison picking up the 2nd Veteran 50+ prize at the award ceremony that took place that evening.

October - Police Sport UK - Marathon

Just three members of the Athletics Section entered the 2005 PSUK Championships. Steve Broadbent (Northern Division) Simon Banfield (Eastern Division) and Michael Horne (Retired Northern) travelled to Cardiff to take part in the annual Cardiff City Marathon event.

The police race was incorporated within the City Marathon and some 60 police entries joined the 1300 other marathon runners in this event.

The race started at 9am in the Cardiff High street and followed a two lap course around the City, down to the Cardiff Bay and back in and around the Pontcanna Park and along the banks of the River Taff.

The route was nice and flat. It was well marshalled with plenty of drinks stations and three Lucozade Power drink points. The weather was fine and sunny and temperatures did rise as the morning progressed.

The race followed the Cardiff Marathon that started at 8.15 am. Many of the lead marathon runners caught up with the tail end of the half marathon runners that caused a little congestion but at the same time we were able to use the slower runners as a pace.

The race finished with a lap of the football field inside the Millennium Stadium. The 400 meter finishing lap made a spectacular end to what was a very enjoyable race.

PC Steve Broadbent finished in 3 hours 14 minutes being placed 2nd in the PSUK Veteran 45+ category - 11th overall. Mr Simon Banfield ran his 3rd marathon knocking 30 minutes off his previous best finishing in 3 hours 23 minutes - 16th overall. Mr Michael Horne was running well to 16 miles but then developed a calf injury and dropped out of the race soon after.

October - December - Northern Police Cross Country League

Again, well turned out with the Lancashire men doing well in third place by the half-way point in the season.

2004 top

By Secretary PC Steven Broadbent

Running seems to go from strength to strength in terms of popularity. This is probably because it is one of the key 'keep fit' sports and playing costs are minimum. Also, there is much scope to encourage all skill levels of runners who can participate at both county and national events. 

Inter-Divisional Cross-Country and 10k

The section organises two annual Inter-Divisional events - a cross-country in February and a 10k road race in July. Both events were well supported totalling over 90 competitors from the force.

Northern Police Cross Country League

Again, well turned out with the Lancashire men scoring 4th place in the team event and ladies also scoring 4th place team.

Police Sport UK - Cross Country

A team of 14 members attended the national championships in Birmingham, West Midlands.

Police Sport UK - Track & Field Athletics

Ten members travelled to Essex and attended the Colchester Stadium. Star jumper, PC John Wiggans (Central) won a gold medal in the Men's long jump with Ian Pudge (Pennine) romping home in 3rd place in the 3000 metres steeplechase. Shirley Worrall (HQ) was on good form to come 3rd in the 3000 metres ladies veteran track.

Police Sport UK - 10 Mile Road Race

Lancashire Constabulary Athletics Section were proud to host the 2004 national championships at Lancaster University. A hilly but very scenic two lap course from the campus gave the 250 strong field an enjoyable race. Fine weather and clear blue skis added to the overall success of this event that attracted 33 UK police forces.

Police Sport UK - Marathon

Despite the close proximity of this year's event only four members of the force braved this 26.2 mile course in Blackpool. Good results were had by those who attended.

British Police Fell Race

Four members of the force attended a very hilly 10-mile course in the Snowdonia region of North Wales. The strong team of Lancashire runners comprised Mile Riley, Paul Johnson (Central) Chris Shaw (Pennine) and Phil Corris (Northern) gave Lancashire a tremendous third place overall.

Prague Marathon

Five members of the section represented the force and competed in this International event in the Czech Republic in May. Phil Levens (Pennine), Roger Scarborough (HQ) Dave Watkinson and Mick McKortle (Southern) and Steve Broadbent (Northern) ran this popular city marathon. The five runners, all veterans, a combined age of around 250 years all ran good times with Phil Levens attaining a PB of 3 hours 10 minutes.

Florence Marathon

Three members of the section represented the force and competed in this International event in Italy in November. Dave Watkinson, Steve Broadbent and Michael Horne (Northern) ran this city marathon.

2003 top

By Secretary PC Steven Broadbent

Running seems to go from strength to strength in terms of popularity. This is probably because it is one of the key 'keep fit' sports and playing costs are minimum. Also, there is much scope to encourage all skill levels of runners who can participate at both county and national events.

Inter-Divisional Cross-Country and 10k

The section organises two annual Inter-Divisional events - a cross-country in February and a 10k road race in August. Both events were well supported totalling over 100 competitors from the force.

Northern Police Cross Country League

Again, well turned out with the Lancashire men scoring 3rd place in the team event and ladies scoring 2nd place team.

Police Sport UK - Cross Country

A team of 11 members attended the national championships in Irvine, Scotland in March.

Police Sport UK - Track & Field Athletics

Seven members attended the Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh. Star jumper, PC John Wiggans won two god medals and a silver medal in the Long, triple and high jumps.

Police Sport UK - 10 Mile Road Race

A 14 strong team ran in Exeter in September with commendable performances in both the women and men's event.

Police Sport UK - Marathon

Five members of the force braved a very sunny but windy 26.2 mile course in Abingdon. PC Dave Watkinson made his debut vet 50+ performance winning a championship gold medal. PC Steve Broadbent won the veteran 40+ championship event.

British Police Fell Race

Two members of the force attended a very hilly 9-mile course in the Derbyshire Peak District.

2002 top

By Secretary PC Steven Broadbent 

This year must be one of the Athletics Sections most successful. There has been a general upsurge in interest in running and numbers attending various events organised by the section have been high. For example, the inter-divisional 10 kilometre road race held at Lancaster in July attracted nearly 100 entries from the force.

Here are some of the more notable victories won in the PAA Cross-country, 10 Mile, Marathon and Track and Field Championships:

The PAA 10 mile road race held in Edinburgh in September was one of the best ever attended with 16 members being supported to attend.

Lancashire almost swept the table of trophies.

PC Alison Crook won the women's national title

PC Darren Hale came 2nd in the men's

PC's Alison Crook, Cara Noone and Fiona Benn were 1st ladies team

PC's Adele Brooksbank, Ms Shirley Worrall and Ms Julie Yates were 1st women's veteran team

PS Dave Tonge was 4th veteran male

PC's Darren Hale and Alison Crook are worthy of a special mention as he was 4th and Alison was 2nd in the PAA Marathon in Belfast. Alison went from strength to strength and won the USPE marathon in Athens held in November.

In the Athletics track and field championships held in Exeter in July PC Jason Lobo won the gold medal in the 800 metres final and PC John Wiggans won a gold and two silver medals in the high, triple and long jumps.

The team also won bronze medals in the Medley Relay event.  

2001 top

By Secretary PC Steven Broadbent

The ladies take the lime-light in the cross country and road running disciplines with PC's Alison Crook, Cara Noone, Fiona Benn, and Ms Julie Yates and Sue Harrison giving sturdy performances during the year. The ladies were 3rd team in the National PAA Cross Country. Alison was 3rd overall and winner in the PAA combined service. Julie and Sue were 2nd and 3rd in the Northern Police Cross Country League.

PC John Wiggans made his PAA debut in the track and field Nationals scoring a hat-trick of jumps, 1st in the long, 2nd in the triple and 3rd in the high.

PC Michael Horne won the Athletics Section 'Runner of the Year' trophy.