http://www.weshamroadrunners.com/

Wesham Road Runners, Wellington Street, Kirkham (2026)

19/06/2026

Once a month Wesham Road Runners hold a track session with Blackpool Freedom Runners thanks to our sponsors Hampson and Mealey who cover the costs for us and this month we invited Blackpool Freedom Runners to lead the session, they certainly delivered!

Run Leaders Matt Taylor, Shaun Haynes and Declan Sheridan stepped up and put the hour session together. Starting with a 10 minutes warm up, Matt Taylor ensured the runners were well and truly ready for the session with a variety of excellent fun drills finishing with a frog leap relay.
Shaun then explained the main session of a pyramid interval session 1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1 minutes with half run time recovery. Building up the pace from a gentle easy pace for 1 minutes to a strong paced 5 minutes and then easing back as the times reduced.
Feeling accomplished the runners were then taken through their cool down by Declan who eased everyone back so we were ready for our next session.

The session was very well received and the running was impressive with the lead runner Stephen Dunn managing an amazing distance of 5 miles.

We now look forward to next months session.

19/06/2026

⛰️ 🦢 🚤 The Windermere Marathon - Sunday 14th June 🚤 🦢 ⛰️

Wesham had one tough cookie taking on this event….

Jonny Allsop - 4:02:10 - PB 🎉
(previously 4:04:21 at Manchester in 2024 - slightly flatter there too)

Well done Jonny 🤩 🎽

The event js a scenic marathon circling Lake Windermere in England’s Lake District, known for its rolling terrain, lakeside views, and friendly atmosphere.
The course features roughly 1,100–1,300 feet of elevation gain, with long undulating stretches and several notable climbs that make it more challenging than a typical road marathon.
Runners experience a mix of quiet woodland, open water vistas, and classic Lakeland villages, creating an event that’s as much about the landscape as the race itself.

18/06/2026

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ Preston Fast 5 – Race 3 of the Series 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

7 Wesham Road Runners were in action last night at the third race of the Preston Fast 5 series. The event is split into two 5K races – one for those targeting sub-18 minutes and another for runners 18 minutes and over.

Our sole representative in the first race was Dave Taylor, who produced an impressive run to finish in 17:08. 👏

In the second race, Lee Barlow stormed home in a fantastic 19:50, taking 1st V50 honours. 💪

There was more success in the age categories with Mick Edge finishing in 21:43 to claim 1st MV65, while Carmel Sullivan crossed the line in 22:19 to take 1st FV60. 🏆

Stuart Topping (who insisted he was never racing again! 😆) put in a strong effort to finish in 23:17.

Lisa Minns enjoyed a brilliant run, finishing in 24:04, knocking a whole minute off her previous best and taking 2nd FV60. 🌟

And Lisa wasn't our only PB achiever on the night – Natalie Westgate shaved a further 7 seconds off her best to finish in 26:04. 🎉

A huge well done to all seven runners for another fantastic evening of racing and representing Wesham Road Runners so brilliantly! 👏and thank you to the support crew 💙💛

16/06/2026

🔦 Member Spotlight - Meet the Swindells 🔦

This is EPIC 💥

They say good things come in 3’s… and we couldn’t agree more (although we welcome any other Swindells to the club 😉).
3 awesome runners and amazing people!

What a positive impact all 3 have had on Wesham Road Runners; quality running, supporting others and giving back to the club 🩵

Let’s hear more…

Katie
5K - 33:23

Frazer
5K - 17:32 - Power of 5k - 2026
5M - 29:23 - Lytham Interclub - 2026
10K - 36:57 - Blackpool 10k 2022
10M - 1:01:41 - Preston 10M - 2025
Half - 1:21:41 - Central Lancs - 2026
Marathon - 3:04:20 - Manchester - 2022

Phil
5M - 30:26 - Lytham Interclub - 2026
10K- 38:45 - Wesham Summer 10k - 2026
10M - 1:06:38 - Stockport 10 - 2023
Marathon - 3:11:11 - Manchester - 2026
50M - 9:34:07 - GB Ultras Chester 50 - 2022
100M - 23:36:28 - Centurion Thames Path 100 - 2023

Katie Swindells

I still laugh thinking back to being coerced into running with the club at the 2025 presentation evening - and honestly, I’m so glad I did! 💫 I’d tried running on my own before and always struggled with motivation, but that night everyone was so warm, encouraging and full of energy. With a new Couch to 5k starting in January, it felt like the perfect moment to finally take the plunge.

Couch to 5k was brilliant. The group were so motivating, and we all pushed each other along week after week 🤝💙

I did pick up a few injuries along the way, which meant missing the official graduation run, but thanks to Adam’s famous stretching videos 🎥😂 and some great advice, I still managed to complete my 5k - even if it was an unofficial one!

I even turned up full of enthusiasm for Week 1 of the 5k to 10k programme… but carrying the newest member of Wesham Road Runners made things a little trickier 👶🏻✨ The group had progressed so well, and I just couldn’t keep up. Adam was incredibly supportive - although I think he struggled more with keeping the baby secret than I did 🤣

Right now, Baby Swindells is growing perfectly and I’m feeling good. I’m keeping active with gentle exercise and Pilates 🧘🏻‍♀️ and while running is on pause, I’m loving cheering everyone on. I’ll be marshalling at the Wesham Interclub and handicap nights too - can’t wait! 🚩

Being a member has been amazing. I genuinely thought the club was only for fast runners, but I quickly realised how inclusive, friendly and supportive everyone is. I’m so glad I joined — 10/10 would recommend! 🌟

Frazer Alexander

It’s funny looking back - after nearly four years without a PB, suddenly everything clicked and I’ve had four in the last 6–7 months. The biggest change has been embracing easy runs and spending more time on the cross trainer. I used to avoid zone 2/3 work completely, and now I’m obsessed with data and heart‑rate zones 📊🫣

The PBs have come across all distances, and I think that’s down to keeping things simple. During my last marathon block, I stuck to one speed session a week: mile repeats. Straightforward, progressive, and really effective 💥 For the half and 20‑mile races, structured long‑run sessions like 4 x 5km with 1km off made a huge difference - massive confidence boosters.

As for favourites, on the road my strongest distance is the half marathon, but nothing beats the London Marathon. The atmosphere is indescribable - 26.2 miles of pure noise, support and emotion 🎉🏃‍♂️💨 Off‑road, it has to be The Lap. Forty‑seven miles in the Lakes, perfect weather every time, and the best part: running it with my Dad. Those Lad‑and‑Dad days are something special ❤️

My standout achievement so far is Manchester Marathon 2022 - a 10‑minute PB and the moment the running bug really took hold. I’m still chasing that elusive sub‑3, so watch this space 👀🔥

I definitely think there are more PBs to come. I should’ve had a marathon PB this year, but it wasn’t meant to be. My focus now is working towards my Gold standards after ticking off Silver in November 2025. More structured speedwork is the plan - it’s where I’m weakest.

The club has changed massively since I joined - the number of members is incredible. Interclubs really show it off; when we line up for the team photo, you can see other clubs looking over in disbelief. It’s something special 💙📸

Having both my wife and my dad in the club means a lot. Dad has always been the one pushing me in sport - football, rugby, cricket, and now running. And Katie… she’s been a grade‑A support crew with some genius sign ideas 🎨😂 Watching her complete Couch to 5k made me so proud, and even more so now as she keeps active with a little human on board.

As for the next Swindells member… we don’t know yet 🩵 or 🩷, but they’ll be in a Wesham vest as soon as possible! A sweepstake is coming — family tradition — with proceeds going to charity and a prize for the winner 🎁🎗️

Phil Swindells

Before joining Wesham, I was very much an off‑road runner. After 40 years of senior rugby, I still wanted a challenge, so I joined Bowland Fell Runners. I thought I was fit… until I hit the hills! 🏔️😂 But I stuck with it, did more races, and eventually moved into longer trail and fell events - 30, 50, even 100 milers. Some went well, some didn’t, but I loved every one of them. Frazer kept telling me to join WRR because it was local and I’d fit right in - he was right.

From day one, the club has been brilliant. Everyone has been welcoming and supportive, and it’s been a fantastic first year. Long may it continue 🙌💙

This is my first Interclub season and it’s been incredible. I was nervous at Blackpool, but things went well and I’ve managed to back it up with two more age‑category wins 🥇 The organisation behind each race is unreal, and the turnout from WRR - over 100 runners each time - is something the other clubs must look at in amazement. The commitment is unmatched.

My biggest achievements? An 11‑minute PB at Manchester Marathon this year is definitely up there. Going sub‑40 at the Wesham Summer 10k was another highlight 🔥 Lakes in a Day - 50 miles - was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had, and completing my first 100 miler on the Thames Path was unforgettable. And finally, completing The Lap three times with Frazer was amazing and extra special - those shared miles mean a lot. ❤️

Favourite events? London Marathon is number one by a mile. If you’ve done it, you know why - the support is unreal 🎉 The Tour of Pendle is my favourite fell event - tough but iconic. And the Suffolk Backyard Ultra deserves a mention - a bonkers but brilliant weekend of pushing yourself as far as you can go 🤪🏃‍♂️

And yes… my body does need rest sometimes! I might treat myself to a day off and a sauna/jacuzzi session at Ribby Hall 🧖‍♂️💦 but I’m back running the next day.

My advice for sustaining performance is simple: if your body and routine allow it, keep running. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far - just keep going. The enjoyment and satisfaction are what keep me ticking ❤️

I think my main aspiration has come about from my recent Manchester Marathon result. It put me within striking distance of sub 3 hours 😮. It’ll take a great effort to do it but I’m going to give it a go! At Manchester, I also achieved my first Diamond Standard time. I’ve recently managed two more so I definitely want to complete the set 💎

13/06/2026

💙 🩵 Preston Interclub 🩵 💙

Wednesday saw the third of seven Interclub fixtures at Avenham Park, Preston.

It was a pleasant evening and a lovely new course, including the recently restored tram bridge 🚃 ☀️ 🌳

Wesham had 74 men and 35 ladies participating (109).
This included 6 of our new members - great to have you with us Jack Donovan, Melissa Mary, Joshua Franco, Nad Manuel, Dave Jordo and Chloe Magee ✨

34 members have done 1 fixture
47 members have done 2 fixtures
65 members have done all 3 fixtures!

The team results are as follows:
Open (top 10) - 2nd 🥈
Ladies (top 5) - 2nd 🥈
Vet 40s (top 6) - 1st 🥇
Vet 50s (top 4) - 1st 🥇
Vet 60s (top 3) - 1st 🥇
Lady Vet 40s (top 5) - 2nd 🥈

And some individual results…

🥇 U23 - Max Swarbrick (that first back for Wesham 3 times now) 💪
🥈 MV40 - John Townsend
🥇 MV45 - Tom Bamber
🥈 MV50 - Steve Wilson
🥇 MV60 - Phil Swindells
🥇 MV65 - Mick Edge
🥇 MV70 - Phil Quibell
🥈 FV35 - CJ Helme (First lady back for Wesham for the second consecutive fixture)
🥈 FV45 - Natalie Mulrooney
🥈 FV55 - Sue Coulthurst
🥇 FV60 - Carmel Sullivan

Thank you to the whole team, including all our supporters 🫶

Thank you Preston Harriers for organising the fixture and providing the buffet 😋

Quick turnaround for the next fixture on Tuesday 23rd June ✌️ we hope you can all make it 🙏

12/06/2026

SUFFOLK BACKYARD ULTRA
By Phil Swindells

Frazer Alexander, Phil Swindells, Nick Rogers

Backyard Ultras are a strange beast. Run 4.167 miles on the hour, every hour until you can do no more and only one person remains. Run the distance (a yard) as fast as you want to give yourself as much or as little time in between each yard for eating, drinking, sleeping, faffing and whatever else you need to do. There’s generally only a handful in the race who can do the high numbers required to win so for everyone else it’s a huge mental battle, you against yourself! Oh and it’s a weird distance because it multiplies up nicely, 12 yards/hours = exactly 50 miles, 24 yards/hours = exactly 100 miles etc, etc.

It was a family affair for this event. So on Friday 5th June seven of us headed south to Thetford which I can confirm is a long way away from our neck of the woods, to get settled in our AirBnB and make Thetford our home for the long weekend.

The event was based at the excellent High Lodge in Thetford Forest and we got to the venue early on Saturday morning to try and secure a tent pitch as close to the start area as possible. The less walking between yards the better! We got a great pitch and in the spitting rain, a sign of things to come, set our tent up under the beady eyes of our crew Sarah (Mrs S).

With the tent pitched and enough food and drink to feed a small army, the rest of the family arrived. As we headed to the 1130 race briefing, the rain was coming and going, but the sun was actually out as the whistle blew for the start, which was very nice indeed!

The first few yards passed by uneventfully but by 1600 the rain had become pretty steady and it stayed that way for pretty much the rest of the evening. It was proper grim until about midnight actually! The miles were being ticked off but it became obvious to those who hadn’t done a BYU before, running slowly is hard. We were aiming to do each yard in anything from 45-50 minutes, but Frazer definitely needed a couple of quick yards to turn his legs over so did a couple in the mid 30’s! On every yard we walked the only incline on the course so had to make ourselves walk other sections just to slow down and also to try to keep something in the locker for our legs.

My son-in-law Nick, a previous social member of WRR but who now lives in Chorley (don’t worry he hasn’t joined Chorley Athletic and Tri club yet), completed 10 yards and was timed out on the 11th. A great result for him as his training had been very disjointed so well done Nick!

Frazer completed 12 yards and was timed out on his 13th, another brilliant performance on the day and just for extra kudos he did one of the fastest yards over the duration of the event, 32:34 to be precise! This was the furthest Frazer has run in one go so brilliant stuff, especially with it being your first BYU.

I managed to keep going through the night and when the sun came up on Sunday morning had completed 21 yards, eventually being timed out on my 22nd.

Our mileage totals including the yards we were timed out on were Nick 46 miles, Frazer 50 miles and me 90 miles so all in all a successful day out for the three of us! A massive thank you goes to Mrs S who crewed the three of us fantastically, ably supported by Zoe and the kids on Saturday afternoon. None of us could do these events without the help and support of our loved ones so thank you, thank you, thank you!

This was a great event. We renewed old acquaintances and made new ones, all the crew and volunteers were amazing, we couldn’t have asked for any more, well maybe a bit less rain! We’re already talking about doing another family orientated BYU next year but one thing is for sure we’re finding one closer to home! Oh and just for you information the winner of this event completed 65 yards - 270 miles!!

12/06/2026

⚫️ ⚪️ The Blaydon Race ⚪️ ⚫️

’Twas on the ninth of joon when the Blaydon Race kicked off once again, a proper North East tradition that sends thousands gannin’ the 5.8‑mile trek alang the Scotswood Road 🏃‍♂️🔥.

Born from the spirit of the auld music‑hall tune by Geordie Ridley, the race still carries that canny mix of pride, graft, and pure Geordie charm.

Crowds line the route yellin’ “Gan on, hinny!” as runners leg it past the landmarks that make the toon what it is 🎺🏙️.

It’s short, sharp, full of banter, and oozes Tyneside identity from the first stride to the finish in Blaydon.

And this year, we had two Geordies representin’ the North West in the North East 😄🖤🤍.

Stephen Dunn - 36:13

Emma Louise - 51:15 - 13th consecutive year and a course PB 💪 🏆

Wey aye, well done the pair o’ yez - proper belta effort!

11/06/2026

🩵 109 Runners 🩵

Add that to the number of support crew and that is some impressive showing from our community!

Thank you all 🙏

08/06/2026

🔦 Member Spotlight - Luke Helmn 🔦

🏆 PBs
400m - 52:07
600m - 1:23:09
800m - 1:58:02
1500m - 4:05
2 Miles - 9:27
5K - 15:36
5 Miles - 26:56
10K - 33:27
10 Miles - 57:23
Half Marathon - 76:38
Marathon - 2:57

👏 Five Marathons. Five Days. One Extraordinary Purpose.
The headline achievement is simple to state but staggering to comprehend: five marathons in five consecutive days. For Luke Helme, though, the story behind the miles is where the real power lives.
The 5 in 5 was, in his own words, incredible. No lows. Just grit, heatwaves, thunderstorms, and a final‑day flourish - a 23‑minute 5K to close out the challenge. Along the way, he raised awareness and helped provide over 10,000 meals for The Big Food Project, proving that running can be more than sport; it can be service.
Running shoulder‑to‑shoulder with legends from Blackpool Freedom Runners and Wesham Road Runners, Luke found himself lifted by a community that embraced the challenge as if it were their own. The challenge, he says, “seemed to capture the imagination of so many people.”

💙 Why He Ran: Paying Sport Forward
Luke’s motivation wasn’t medals or mileage - it was Paying Sport Forward, a phrase he coined back in 2013.
Through his swimmers, he’s helped fund water pumps and wells, giving 4.3 million days of water access to communities in need. When the opportunity arose to place a memorial bench for his dad at Stanley Park Track, that same spirit of giving shifted into running.
Luke’s father - a coach who inspired thousands of young athletes - continued coaching even while battling three forms of cancer. Luke recalls seeing him push his wheelchair from the car park to the track to lead a session. That memory became the fuel for the hardest moments of the 5 in 5.
When Glasdon generously donated the bench, Luke and his mum redirected their efforts toward food donations. From that spark, Ron’s Run and the Steps Programs have grown across the Fylde, helping people build self‑belief, health, and community while feeding families through sport.

🩵 The Community That Lifted Him
Luke joined Wesham as a social member - a simple thank‑you for their support of Ron’s Run. What he found was something deeper:
- genuine happiness for others’ success
- encouragement that feels contagious
- friendships that reignited his love for running
The support at the Beaverbrooks 10k, the runners who joined him during the 5 in 5, the messages, the cheers - all of it mattered.
💚 And yes, having The Tower lit up for him during the challenge… that was something truly special.

🏃‍♂️ The Runner Behind the Challenge
Luke describes himself as “chunky with big old legs,” managing pain through marathons 2–5 - but he got it done. His background as a track athlete (county medals at 400, 800, 1500; part of the Blackpool team that reached British League status) shows the pedigree, but the last few years show the courage.
He’s overcome depression, anxiety, and personal struggles. Running now is about space, peace, and purpose. Mostly solo miles, with BFR on Mondays, and always with an eye on helping others run more efficiently or believe in themselves a little more.

🌟 What’s Next
The body is resting — “it wants to sleep a bit more often now” — but it’s already had a couple of runs this week. Recovery, reset, and then… the next goal.
Because that’s who Luke is.
A runner.
A giver.
A believer in people.
And someone who proves that sport, at its best, is a way to lift others.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/5in5?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=CL

Wesham Road Runners

19/06/2026

19/06/2026

18/06/2026

16/06/2026

13/06/2026

12/06/2026

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11/06/2026

08/06/2026

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