Burnden is nearing the end of its Club Championship year with just a few races remaining. The Green Drive 5 was well attended by the Club despite the missing Palma contingent.
Located in Lytham, this route was a flat and wet course looped out and back course featuring driving rain which battered the runners.
First home was speedy Suleman Badat in 30:57 and 2nd MV45. Collecting Vet Cat wins alongside Suleman were Gwen Kinloch – 1st Burnden lady and 1st FV60 – 37:10, Anne Ferguson – 1st FV65 – 40:48, Mike Caine – 2nd MV55 – 35:11, Lyndsay Darbyshire – 3rd FV55 – 37:21, Francesca Caine – 3rd FS – 38:21,
In second place was Michael Kermode in 32:07 and Lee White rocked up for 3rd place seconds later in 32:23. Other results – Andy Norman – 34:03, Stephen Horsman – 34:42, Phil McCardle – 35:13, Adrian Ashburn – 37:02, Jake Quinn – 37:00, David Smith – 37:43, Gareth Lowe – 38:15, Simon Marland – 38:21, Martin Archer – 39:46, Vicki Hamer – 40:45, Paul Christie – 41:34, Bernie Jones – 41:35, Alistair Marland – 41:56, Jackie Oakes – 42:06, Andy Warburton – 42:50, Rick Winnard – 43:03, Julia Hall – 43:58, Jenni Partington – 45:00, Carolyn Edwards – 46:27, Emma Walker – 47:18, Sandra Caine – 47:49, Natasha Clarke – 48:52, Carol Richardson – 49:36, Shirley Robinson – 54:53, Tony Fulop – 55:49, Jen Forkin – 57:24, Sue Marland – 59:36.
RED ROSE RUNNERS
Saturday saw Burnden’s Cross Country Team compete in the first race of the Red Rose League at Blackburn – starting an autumn filled with mud, grass and smiles for Burnden members courageous enough to take on the tough conditions of cross country running. Off Road Captain, Tony Fulop sent this report through to describe the day –
“It was a breezy day, and the ladies and gents had to navigate stream crossings and the Panhandle Hill, which included a mud bath following the descent! Queue the rain and strong winds just as the gents started their event, with one of the teams' tents actually being blown over!
We had category wins for both Gwen and Anne and I competed with the ladies! The first home for the ladies was Lindsay and gents Michael!
Lyndsay Darbyshire 27:32 20 Gwen Kinloch L60 1 27:34 Anne Ferguson L65 1 29:32 Kathryn Baron 31:45 Verity Harrison 34:08 Anthony Fulop 41:30 Michael Kermode 47:24 Steve Nolan 49:23 Stephen Horsman 50:56 David Smith 55:49 Gareth Lowe 57:02”
TAKING THE HIGH ROAD UP TO SCOTLAND
Off to the far North were Andy Warburton and Gwen Kinloch – headed to Glasgow for The Great Scottish Run – a half marathon distance.
Andy collected a cracking sub 2 hour with 1:59:38 and Gwen was crowned 2nd FV60 with a superb 1:40:12.
BURNDENERS ABROAD
Following last year’s successful trip to Lanzarote, it was over to Palma, next door neighbour to party town Magaluf. But although fun was undoubtedly had on the Spanish island of Majorca, it was one of three distance races that the Club members were there for.
The group swapped Bolton raindrops for baking heat as they escaped to compete either a 9K, Half or full Marathon.
Widely considered as one of the most scenic races in Europe, over 10,000 runners gather in the city and spectacular views are guaranteed as they wind along the seaside promenade and through the old town. The main hub of the race action is around Parc de Mar in the shadow of Palma’s magnificent La Seu Gothic Cathedral and racers are treated to a hero’s finish as the final stretch takes them along Passeig del Born towards the Bay of Palma with a fantastic atmosphere from the crowds.
Tess Riley opted for the Marathon distance – finishing in 5:07:17. Joanna and Martin Fielding both completed the Half Marathon – finishing with PBs of 1:37:51 and 2:28:26 respectively.
Gareth Doherty led the Half Marathoners home in 1:31:50 and was followed by Martin Fielding, Ed Ashton – 1:47:39, Lawrence McDonald – 1:53:12, Steven Bate – 1:54:23, Linda Doherty – 2:02:26, Steve Riddle – 2:10:51, Katie Walsh – 2:26:38, Nia Bell – 2:26:38, Joanna Fielding, Susan Wood – 2:43:13 and Deb Hanson – 2:43:13.
Several members opted for the 9K distance and Mark Cannon led them home in 40:07 followed by Keith Thomas – 43:39, Neil Counsell – 44:18, Colm O’Brien – 49:14, Jane Forrest – 50:37, Julie Riddle – 58:45, Sarah McConnell - 1:27:55, Andrew Berry - 1:27:55, Kath Berry – 1:39:30 and Gillian McGowan – 1:39:30.
YORK MARATHON FOR WHITTINGTON
The Yorkshire Marathon is a popular and picturesque run taking in some of York’s splendid history and scenic country lanes. The flat and fast course is hailed as having lots of PB potential and our Mark Whittington showed his signature speed as he crossed the line in a lung-busting 2:52:29.
THIS IS BURNDEN – WE DO THINGS BRILLIANTLY HERE
The Manchester Half was back with over 11, 000 gathered in the city to race the pancake-flat course which leads runners from its Athletes Village at Old Trafford, through the City Centre then on to Stretford, Altrincham and Sale. It is one of the best supported and its atmosphere is famously friendly. Crowds of all ages line the streets to offer runners cheers of encouragement and hundreds of sweets to keep their energy levels up.
It was a special day for Ian Mann as he raised funds for the Burnt Chef project and completed his first half marathon 3:22:19. Rick Winnard smashed his PB by 8 minutes – crossing the line in 1:59:50.
Jonathan Sangster was first home for the Club in true Sangster-swift style – crossing in 1:19:34. Next through was Mike Caine in 1:36:52 followed by First Lady Sarah Watton in 1:35:39, Martin Cullen – 1:47:51, Steven Walsh – 1:49:39 and Gayle Gerrard – 1:50:01, Phil Holden – 1:51:45, Francesca Caine – 1:52:52, Bernie Jones – 1:56:27, Richard Burnett – 1:59:14, Ravi Patel – 2:03:35, Carol Richardson – 2:14:31.
WILLAN’S BACKYARD CHALLENGE
Not as the name suggests a run around his own backyard, Paul Willan took on a huge challenge in the form of the Manchester Backyard Ultra. This fiendish feat involves competitors pledging to run 4 miles on the hour every hour until just one runner remains to compete another lap.
Sounds hellish but where there’s a Willan, there’s a way, and Paul collected an unbelievable 54 miles in 12 hours. His12 laps finished at 12am when he hit his personal target of over 50 miles.
LANGDALE HILLS BECKON NORMAN
Reaching gradients of 1:3, the Langdale Marathon isn’t for the flat fans and Andy Norman took the long hill stretches in his long strides.
The course is a beautiful but challenging one – offering spectacular mountain scenery in exchange for gruelling roads. Billed as the ‘toughest road marathon in the UK, Andy was delighted to finish in 4 hours 15 – a 13 minute improvement on his last attempt.
RIVI TRAIL TOUGHIE
The Mad Bull special is a notorious toughie but Rivington's beauty was a treat for the runners racing the Rivington Trail Half Marathon. Just two Burndeners featured on the challenging course this year. Melissa Husbands finished in 2:32:49 and Emma Walker in 2:53:41.
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