Matty smashes through barrier

ATHLETICS STEVE DUXBURY

ALL sections of Rossendale Harriers were in action recently on the roads, track and fells with great success and personal bests for some athletes.

Twenty-year-old Matty Harris, having recently substantially improved his 800 metres personal best, had another major breakthrough in the 1500 metres in Loughborough where he went under four minutes for the first time, clocking 3mins 57.94secs, a significant moment in the young athlete’s career.

Matty ran a brave race from the gun, tracking the pacemaker for much of the race before fading towards the end and finishing sixth in a very high quality race.

On the fells 20 Harriers turned out for the midweek Bull Hill fell race from Hawkshaw near Bury and first back for the club in seventh position was Joe Waller, who seems to improve with every race.

Veteran Dave Haygarth finished in 12th position and second MV55, Ronnie Turner held off rival, Thornton Taylor, who finished a place behind him and took the MV60 prize. Nicole Howarth was the best of the Rossendale ladies in 11th position in her category.

Earlier last week Stephen Corbishley, another Harrier enjoying a great season had an excellent run in the Trawden 7 mile trail race, where he finished second to Barlick’s Tom Corrigan.

Alan Lundberg-Bury easily won the MV50 prize, finishing in 21st position overall and there were also wins for brothers Thornton and Ken Taylor in their respective MV60 and MV70 categories.

It was the same story for the Taylor brothers in the notoriously hill Hendon Brook 13.5 mile road race over in Nelson, each winning their veteran categories and this time Thornton putting one over on his rival, Ronnie Turner by finishing several places in front of him.

Meanwhile in Burnley 14-year-old Ryan Heneghan finished in second place in the 5K Park run, clocking 18mins 34secs and not far behind Clayton’s Nicholas Hennessey.

Kurtis Mitton, 15, crossed the line in third place with a new personal best of 18mins 41secs. ●● Stephen Corbishley