The flat and fast Bolton 5K has been challenging runners since its inception in 2011. As Bolton United Harriers’ contribution to the CLGP league, it attracts a high number of runners and is a great opportunity for PB setting.
The 2-lap course starts on the athletics track before leading runners on a fast and furious adventure using Long Lane and the heavily trodden ‘Out & Back’ to then finish back on the track.
A superb number of Burndeners turned out to this event and it was Suleman Badat who led us home in an impressive 18:19 – securing 1st MV45.
Next in was Michael Kermode in 19:12 and Ryan Moore in 20:31. Simon Marland took 3rd MV65 in 22:51 and Francis Mackin was 2nd MV75 in 24:51. Finlay Coyne was 3rd MV75 in 28:08.
Gwen Kinloch was first Burnden lady and 2nd FV65 in 21:59 followed by Lyndsay Darbyshire as 2nd FV55 in 22:13. Anne Ferguson was crowned 3rd FV65 in 24:02 and Kathryn Berry claimed 3rd FV60 in 27:16.
Other results were as follows – Mark Cannon – 20:47, Stephen Horsman – 21:03, Andrew Crawford – 21:07, Ravi Patel – 21:11, Lyall Mew – 21:13, Martin Whitehead – 21:55, Paul Willan – 22:01, David Smith – 22:09, Gareth Lowe – 22:28, Gareth Doherty – 23:00, Patrick Filio – 23:01, Andy Dunleavy – 23:18, Martin Cullen – 23:24, Mark Butler – 23:58, Gregg Beardwell – 24:04, Ivan Brown – 24:24, Verity Harrison – 24:28, Kimberley Lowe – 24:45, Linda Doherty – 25:06, Marcus Hamer – 25:07, Louise Righini – 25:44, Jenni Partington – 26:53, Bernie Jones – 27:03, Steve Holt – 27:12, Kathryn Baron – 27:19, Sarah Brown – 28:01, Natasha Clarke – 29:02, Gillian Morris – 30:13, Julie Riddle – 31:29, Lauren Hulme – 33:07, Sue Marland – 33:25, David Allen – 33:37, Anthony Fulop – 33:59, Cheryl Dunleavy – 35:26, Robert Bell – 36:52, Ian Mann – 39:39.
Burnden Road Runners were overloaded with trophies at the post-run ceremony to award the CLGP winners from the previous year.
Not only were several members named as winners of their categories but Burnden took home a haul of 4 team awards – Overall Team Winner, Men’s and Women’s Team Winner and Vet Team Winner!
Suleman Badat collected 4th Senior Man and 1st M45. Mark Cannon took 1st M60, Marcus Hamer 1st M65 and Paul Christie 1st M70.
Gwen Kinloch and Lyndsay Darbyshire were named 3rd and 5th Senior Women respectively. Gwen also took 1st F60 and Lyndsay 1st F55. Vicki Hamer collected 1st F35 and Anne Ferguson 1st F65. Also collecting were Kathryn Baron for 2nd F55 and Marie Parkinson for 2nd F60.
ANDY IS 3RD VALENTINE
Andy Norman has some impressive form when it comes to distance running – frequently racing marathons on a Sunday before training with Burnden as a leader on Monday evenings - when most of us would be nursing achy legs.
This weekend was no different but there was an additional Valentine’s award in store for the long-legged runner from Ramsbottom.
Forsaking the Bolton 5K, Andy instead chose to be seduced by the ‘It’s Grim Up North’ Team in their Valentine-themed race - ‘Besotted at Bingley’.
With distances ranging from 5K to Marathon, flat and even towpaths (apart from occasional locks) and no pressure on time, the IGUN races are a sweet choice to warm your heart.
Andy chose the marathon (of course!) and finished in a terrific 3rd position with a breathtaking time of 3:35:00.
MORRISONS FEBRUARY FREEZER
A bitterly cold race along the coast awaited David and Julie Morrison this weekend as they took on one of the Fylde Coast Runners’ events – the Great North West Half Marathon.
With relentless headwinds blowing mile markers over and 1000 runners battling through repetitions of ‘out and backs’, this was a tough slog and a test of endurance for the pair. Crossing the finish line in 2:21:00, David paid credit to Julie – noting that she had run the race 12 minutes quicker than her debut in 2019.
GERRARD TESTS OUT NEW RACE
Gayle Gerrard spotted a brand new race and decided to test out her trainers on it this week. The Media City Half Marathon, organised by Run Through Events, and supported by Salford and Trafford Councils, is a flat and fast PB perfect course. The two laps are on closed roads and feature scenic routes around Salford and Eccles and on the footpaths around Salford Quays. Gayle achieved a sub-2 hour on this new course – crossing the finish line in 1:50:46.
BURNDEN TAKE OVER PARKRUN – WITH SOME HELP FROM LOFTY
A takeover was in progress early on Saturday morning as Lieutenant Run Director, Gareth Doherty, assembled his troops for marshalling. Directing an army of volunteers to various points along the course, as well as to token scanning, timing points and to generally cheer like mad for the runners and walkers of parkrun, Gareth was on his usual top form as he made the briefing announcement at the top of the hill. As well as taking over, Burnden were also leafleting the runners to promote both the upcoming Trotters 5 Mile in March and the Bolton Community 10K in April.
There was a special furry guest to greet the finishers and to promote Bolton Wanderers in the Community. Lofty the Lion provided high-fives, fun and photographs – even recreating the event from BWFC’s match at the weekend by stretching out Phil Holden’s hamstring for him!
Despite a huge number creating the sea of black, grey and Burnden, there were still multiple members who finished a parkrun this week. Here is the round-up of all of the parkruns this week with a special shoutout to Tim Taylor for furthest travelled in Australia – and he actually came across some parkrunners with connections to Bolton on his travels!
Bolton
Mark Whittington (4th) – 21:26, Alexander Shield – 22:08, Martin Whitehead – 23:52, Ryan Moore – 24:21, Andrew Crawford – 25:53, Francesca Caine – 26:38, Phillip Fryer – 27:26, Mike Caine – 27:54, Paul Johnson – 28:05, Helen Bury – 28:44, Phil Holden – 28:46, Richard Blake – 29:03, Megan Lord – 29:05, Martin Cullen – 29:20, Catherine Shield – 29:33, Simon Irving – 31:33, Luisa Shield – 31:58, Rick Winnard – 32:18, Amy Smith – 33:15, Gareth Lowe – 34:09, Julie Mann – 34:10, Joanne Darby – 34:55, Carol Richardson – 35:43, Nicola Ingle – 37:31, Jenni Partington – 38:59, Nicola Halsall – 39:19, Andrew Mann – 41:08, Gregg Beardwell – 47:48, David Allen – 47:50, Sarah Brown – 54:39, Michelle Livesey – 56:28.
Southern Highlands, Botanic Gardens parkrun, Australia – Tim Taylor – 25:42
Vicar Water Country Park – Steven Walsh – 32:09
Sutton Manor – Mark Butler – 33:34
Brickfields – Luke Newell – 31:19
Ludlow – Simon Marland – 27:29, Sue Marland – 40:31
Shrewsbury – Clair Marland – 26:47
Pennington Flash – Steven Snape – 1:01:54, Joyce Tyldesley – 1:01:56
Hyndburn – Suzanne Walmsley – 1:16:19 (30th parkrun)
South Manchester – Kimberley Lowe – 27:46, Ravi Patel – 27:47
Heaton Park – Liz McLellan – 22:43, Gayle Gerrard – 25:06
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