Two Burndeners were on the Marathon trail this weekend and it was very different courses that awaited them both.
Bernie Jones was taking on the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in memory of her beloved Mum and to raise funds to support those living with Motor Neurone Disease. Supported by Emma Walker running part of the course and Jen and Simon Entwistle on the sidelines, Bernie thanked all of Burnden Road Runners for their support and revealed her fantastic finishing time of 4:30:41 - as well as the fact that two toenails are now missing in action! Motor Neurone Disease Association will receive over £1,000 thanks to Bernie’s amazing achievement.
Excalibur was the choice of Mega-Marathoner Mark Jackson - this being his third time on the course. With over 5,500 feet of elevation, it’s a hard slog and Mark has admitted it is the toughest of the 31 marathons he has completed. The route traverses the stunning Clywdian range in North Wales – shrouded in mystical Arthurian legend. So tough that even the organisers advertise it as needing walks in parts - Mark finished in a medievally marvellous 6:52:04.
TWO FOR THE HALF
Sarah and Steve Walton also headed to Wales for their challenge this week – choosing the Snowdonia Half Marathon. Steve scaled the summit in 2:04 and Sarah in 2:30.
A QAUARTET OF 10KS
Cheese was the word for Ally Marland and Steven Bate as they were awarded with a slab at the Blacksticks Blue 10K. Known affectionately by some as the ‘Cheese race’ when it featured on the Burnden Club Championship, the course is around the home of the stinky but delicious blue cheese. Ally and Steven finished in cheddarific times of 54:25 and 60:11 respectively.
Over in pretty Cheshire, a pair of Burndeners were out and back in super swift times as they tackled the Alderley Edge Bypass 10K. A great race for spotting fasties on your way out, the route also features entertainment including a DJ in a tunnel and stilt walkers. Michael Kermode and Aidy Ashburn were across the line in top times of 41:25 and 48:23 respectively.
Up to their waist in water this year was just the one Burndener, who represented at the Bluebell 10K Yarrow River Splash. The route is a scenic woodland trail, which involves a splash across some pretty deep parts of the Yarrow. Tony Fulop was home and wet in 1:35:06.
The Pittaway Beverley 10K is based in East Yorkshire and, starting from Beverley Minster, treats runners to a run through the glorious Westwood Common Land with great crowd support. Rich Burnett flew the flag for Burnden and collected a PB of 54:50 in hot conditions.
SPECIAL NUMBER FOR MARLAND’S PARKRUN
The Marlands were away for parkrun this week and managed to scoop not one but two results as Finland held an extra parkrun for Ascension Day.
Marking an incredible 400th parkrun for Simon, Tokoinranta parkrun in Helsinki saw him finish in 25:10 and Sue in 35:29. Days later Simon finished Tampere parkrun in 24:21 and Sue in 35:43.
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