Back in the mists of February, Captains Linda and Gareth Doherty welcomed Burndeners to the very first race of the new Club Championship season. Alexandra parkrun in Moss Side is a flat and fast course and the intention for this challenge was to run the course in February and December and offer a prize for the most improved club runner.
Results remain to be seen shortly and the unknown prize is much coveted but here are the results for the December parkrun challenge in a field of 440 parkrunners.
A special mention for Couch to 5K graduate, Suzi Walmsley, who celebrated her 25th parkrun at Alexandra – crossing the line amid cheers of support in a parkrun PB of 51:14.
Mark Whittington was first home in an astounding 17:56 – a new parkrun PB. Mark continues to make tidal waves at Burnden – often leading the pack at club races. This speedy time comes just a week after Whittington stormed home at the Blackburn 10K in 37:07. Next home was Suleman Badat in 18:24 and Paul Duke in 18:58.
First lady home was Francesca Caine in 21:22 followed by Vicki Hamer with a PB of 22:29 and Linda Doherty in 24:19.
PB Setters – Andrew Norman – 19:58, Mike Caine – 21:39, Simon Marland – 22:50, Jenni Partington – 24:27, Bernie Jones – 26:42, Sheila Christie – 26:51, Sarah Brown – 28:05, Sandra Caine – 28:09, Nia Bell – 28:54, Natasha Clarke – 29:05, Andrew Parkinson – 30:36, Shirley Robinson – 33:22, Jennifer Forkin – 33:22,
Other results - Lee White – 19:07, Lyall Mew – 19:38, Ryan Moore – 21:00, David Smith – 21:59, Adrian Ashburn -22:04, Ravi Patel – 22:34, Martin Archer – 23:06, Martin Cullen – 23:26, Paul Christie – 24:10, Andy Dunleavy – 25:52, Simon Entwistle – 26:38, Richard Blake – 27:31, Kathryn Berry – 28:19, Katie Walsh – 28:55, Carol Richardson – 30:12, Emma Walker – 31:03, Gillian Morris – 31:03, Jennifer Entwistle – 31:46, Sue Marland – 35:07, Cheryl Dunleavy – 36:09, Michelle Livesey – 37:33, Gillian McGowan – 43:43.
FULOP FINDS A ‘PRECIOUS’ PB
It’s that special time of year when the Tolkien Trail pulls its winter boots onto its hobbit feet and invites an array of fantasy creatures to run the summer course counter-clockwise.
Just one lone Bilbo this year – Tony Fulop – was off on a quest to find the finish line and he brought home a precious PB from his travels.
For those who don’t know, this trail race takes you ‘there and back again’ along a spellbinding concoction of enchanting woods, fields, muddy trails and road. Runners follow a path of inspiration for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ author, J.R.R. Tolkien starting from the Avenue of the beautiful Stonyhurst College where Tolkien wrote parts of the saga. Runners then race through Hurst Green Village before descending down the field known as ‘Mount Doom’ to meet the Tolkienesque woodland. Treated to views of the 1880 aqueduct, racers are then rewarded by stunning views of the Hobbiton-like Ribble river – only on show during the winter version. After racing down towards Cromwell Bridge, built in 1562, the steps out of ‘Fangorn Forest’ start to lead runners home from.
Tony was hobbit-happy to finish the ‘eleventy-one’ (11.1km) course with a PB of 1:34:16 – knocking 3 minutes from 2022’s time of 1:37:15.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MANN IAN!
Burnden’s Ian Mann, who completed his first Half Marathon in October, has shared his thanks to all who donated to his fundraiser for The Burnt Chef Project. Ian is an integral member of the Club and has built up his running from the Burnden Beginners to Half Marathon distance with a remarkable level of training and discipline. Ian is now our stats man – with a head for numbers as well as legs for running – and will be calculating the all important winner of the Alexandra parkrun competition.
Ian commented,
“A massive thank you to everyone who donated to my fundraising running for the Manchester Half Marathon in October.
I really appreciate everyone’s support and helping me make a difference for Hospitality Mental Health.
I raised an incredible £435, which will provide the following support for Hospitality workers:
- Supports 71 people by using the UK text service
- Covers the cost of 8 therapy services for free to hospitality professionals
The Burnt Chef Project”
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