Leigh Harriers Athletics Club

15/06/2026

15/06/2026

Better late then never they say (I've been away with work...again), but what a day for Leigh Harriers at IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton on Sunday 7th June!

With Thunderstruck blasting across the Flash at the start, the team were sent into Pennington Flash feeling inspired, fired up, and only slightly concerned about how much duck poo we were about to swallow!

From there it was onto the rolling bike course, taking in the local glamour of Platt Vegas, Abram, Atherton and other surrounding hamlets and quaint villages, before heading back for that brutal little run around Bolton.

The twists and turns through Queen’s Park tested tired legs and tired minds, but every one of us pushed on to that red carpet finish in front of the Lions of Bolton Town Hall.

Huge congratulations to:

James Wilkinson, Dave Smith, Jacques Menguy, Andy Bracegirdle, Dan Calland, Ryan Simpson, Ollie Mitchell, Dan Cox, Nastasja Douglass, Anthony Bayley, Owen Kelly, Paul Kelly and Kerry Lomas.

Every one of us battled the distance, the climbs, the nerves, the nutrition plans, the “why did I sign up for this?” moments, and somehow still found a way to smile at the finish line.

There were brilliant performances, personal battles won, and enough Lycra, gels and emotional damage to keep the sport going for another year.

Proud is an understatement. Whether chasing times, proving a point, getting away from the Mrs on Saturday morning or just getting to that red carpet, you all did everyone proud.

Leigh Harriers: running since 1909, apparently now also very good at swimming in lakes, avoiding wildlife-related water hazards, and riding bikes up hills.

Massive well done team.

10/06/2026

Keely Hodgkinson shaved more time off her 400m best at the Rome Diamond League tonight, clocking 51.14 in Italy ⚡️

This is her one lap progress over the past few years:

2021 – 52.61
2022 – 52.41
2023 – 51.76
2024 – 51.61
2025 – N/A
2026 – 51.14

10/06/2026

BRITISH RECORD

Keely Hodgkinson has once again lowered her own national mark in the 800m 🇬🇧

The Olympic champion clocked 1:54.33, bettering her 1:54.61 from London two years ago, and placed second behind Audrey Werro (1:53.98) in Stockholm ⚡️

Hodgkinson now holds eight of the ten fastest 800m times in British history 🏃‍♀️

10/06/2026

🚨 BRITISH RECORD 🚨

Keely Hodgkinson clocks a new 800m personal best of 1:54.33 in Stockholm to lower her own British Record 😎

09/06/2026

We are delighted to announce the venue for the 2027 National Cross Country Championships.
It will be held at Thoresby Estate near Newark and is a new venue for the Association, and it is being organised by the Midlands Area.
We look forward to your support on 20th February which is a week earlier than usual, which gives a two week gap before the ESAA National Championships.

20/05/2026

Leigh Harriers Club Weekend Round-Up from the Triathlon team.

What a weekend for the mighty Leigh Harriers & Triathlon Club, with our athletes spreading themselves across two fantastic events — some taking on Southport Triathlon, and others heading to Nottingham for the mighty Outlaw Half.

At Southport, the conditions were character-building… which is the polite Facebook way of saying it was blowing an absolute hoolie. The bike leg was something special: in one direction it was like cycling through treacle, and in the other it was like the Kessel Run in the Millennium Falcon — except with more lycra, fewer Wookiees, and a much higher chance of being blown into a hedge!

Despite the weather doing its best to launch people into the Irish Sea, our Leigh athletes battled through brilliantly, showing grit, determination, and questionable judgment — all essential triathlon qualities.

Meanwhile, over in Nottingham, our Outlaws took on the Outlaw Half, a proper test of endurance involving swimming, cycling, running, and repeatedly asking yourself why you paid money to feel like this.

Everyone did the club proud. Whether it was Southport or Nottingham, Sprint, standard or middle distance, windy chaos or half-distance heroics, there was plenty of Leigh spirit on show.

And yes, I also competed — of sorts. I was present, dressed appropriately, moved mostly forwards, and crossed a finish line, so that’s going down as a successful athletic performance.

Massive congratulations to everyone who raced this weekend. You showed determination, humour, resilience, and the ability to make poor weekend decisions look inspirational.

Well done Team Leigh — same madness, different venues, brilliant performances all round!

30/04/2026

Due to holidays & other commitments LH Reception will not be open usual hours next week ( week commencing Mon 4th May )
If any members or parents require anything during that week please contact their coaches and we will try to help.

As the Club relies on volunteers we are always looking for extra help. Should anyone have any time to spare to help us please contact any of us at the club.
Thank you 🤍 🖤 💚

29/04/2026

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