Four types of race were on offer for Burndeners at Staveley but only the 18K was the golden ticket for the Off-Road Championship. The Staveley races are part of the Lakeland Trails series and take in panoramic views of the southern Lakeland fells. Race routes give runners a mixed terrain with tarmac, grassy footpaths, stony bridleways, woodland trails and a couple of stiles to hop over too!
The Kentmere Trail Race 18K and the Kentmere Trail Challenge 18K are similar sounding but offer a different level of competitiveness. The Trail Race is aimed at the more competitive with a 2 hour time limit whereas the Challenge is longer with runners offered a limit of 3.5 hours to complete the course. Both offer runnable climbs and descents but all races have the promised and dreaded ‘Sting in the Tail’ – a sneaky steep climb!
Tackling this version were Paul Duke – 1:29:59, Gareth Doherty – 1:31:32, Lyndsay Darbyshire – 1:49:34, Anne Ferguson – 1:56:03, Linda Doherty – 2:01:13 and Melissa Husbands – 2:06:48.
Finishing the Trail Challenge were Michael Kermode – 1:39:59, Jenni Partington – 2:27:41, Nicola Halsall – 2:38:47, Kathryn Baron – 2:38:47, Emma Walker – 2:38:48 and Anthony Fulop – 2:57:57.
Flying the flag at the 5K was sole runner Ian Mann who crossed the course’s finish line in 1:02:49.
ANDY TAKES THE CAKE AS 1ST VET
It was quarter slices of joy for four Burndeners as they completed the ‘Piece of Cake 10K’ in Manchester this week. Dubbed ‘Manchester’s friendliest race’, the route is located in Boggart Hole Clough – a picturesque park in Blackley. With a sting in its tail in the form of ‘Angel Hill’ (we can guess why!), it’s not as easy as a piece of cake but our BRRs made it look so with their great times.
First taking a piece was Andy Dunleavy – 1st MV65 in a delicious 44:41. Louise Righini, fresh from the London Marathon, was next home – her slice wrapped up in a sub-hour 59:03. Sarah Brown followed to make it three in 1:04:57 and Cheryl Dunleavy reunited the foursome in 1:18:58.
ASTLEY ATHLETES ARE ASTOUNDING
Ever popular with the Club, it was a great turnout at the first race of the Astley Trail series this week. Located around the picturesque grounds of Astley Hall in Chorley, the series attracts runners from all over the North West.
Michael Kermode was first to finish in a breath-taking 26:10 followed by Andrew Crawford in 27:27.
Our wonder Vets were representing in the Ladies here with Lyndsay Darbyshire crowned 1st FV50 in 28:13, Gwen Kinloch awarded 2nd FV60 in 28:58 and Anne Ferguson collecting 3rd FV60 in 29:54.
Other results – Andy Warburton – 32:58, Steven Bate – 34:26, Tony Fulop – 44:49.
LADIES TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT WORSLEY WOODS
The Ladies 5 Mile Trail at Worsley Woods, organised by Swinton Running Club, featured a pair of superstar Burndeners - Gayle Gerrard and making her debut - Katie Walsh. The route follows a beautiful woodland trail, which takes in the City of Salford’s largest conservation area and uses part of the parkrun course - venturing deeper into the woods. Runners take in the lake at Old Warke Dam, the Bridgewater canal and the tranquil peace of the woods.
Both of our ladies finished with a sub-hour - Gayle sub-45 in 43:01 and Katie sub 55 in 53:20.
JUST UP THE ROAD FOR THREE
Local races are always fun and a triangle of Burnden members travelled up to Chorley to compete in their 10K race. This route is a two lap course, starting and finishing on Market Street and taking in Astley Park. It is a well supported race and has a buzzy atmosphere to welcome runners home.
Dean Covill led our troops – finishing in 50:31 with Bernie Jones following in 56:31 and Carol Richardson in 1:04:57.
HORWICH TRI A BREEZE FOR BURNDEN
Martin Cullen, Ged Turner, Simon Entwistle and Lyall Mew gathered their swim, bike, run gear and were ready to face the Horwich ‘Kona of the North’ triathlon.
Our quad of Tri-Stars produced some impressive stats – with Ged Turner shaving minutes off his 2023 times for each discipline and Simon Entwistle making a splash in his debut Tri.
Goggles on and Cullen was in and out of the pool in 12:49, Mew in 14:15, Entwistle in 14:31 and Turner in 19:07.
Saddles up for a 40K undulating cycle ride, which our quality quad completed in the following times - Cullen - 1:31:12, Entwistle – 1:40:50, Mew - 1:21:46, Turner – 1:39:42. Finally, the most brutal part arrived – the run.
Horwich Triathlon is also known as ‘The Race to the Pike’ because of its final leg – the 8.6K gruelling slog up to Rivington Pike and back down to the finish line to end in a blaze of cheers and glory. Mew was up and down in an impressive 46:20, Cullen in 57:19, Turner in 1:01:41 and Entwistle in 1:05:48.
Our Tri-tastic stars put in a solid performance at this tough endurance test and pace times for all three disciplines were impressive within a talented arena of athletes. Stephen Horsman was awarded second V60 for his fantastic efforts.
TRIO ON TOUR
Gillian McGowan was joined by Kathryn and Andrew Berry on the hilly Tour de Manc Sportive this week and all three did wheelie well.
Up for a tough challenge, Andrew took on the ‘Mad Manc’ – a course of 116 miles with 10,600 feet of climb. Gillian and Kath opted for a slightly shorter version – the Northern Quarter – still a lengthy 33 miles and with elevation reaching 2,500 feet. Gillian described the event as ‘fantastic’.
PARKRUNNING ALL OVER THE UK
A special shout out this week to Sarah Watton who was 1st lady at Bolton in 22:52 and to Mark Whittington who was 4th overall at Warrington in 18:52.
Heaton Park (738) – Lee White – 19:52, Gayle Gerrard – 24:40, Chris Greenall – 27:47.
Hyndburn (123) – Adrian Ashburn – 24:17
Warrington (533) – Mark Whittington – 18:52 (4th position)
Pennington Flash (174) – Francesca Caine – 26:43, Joyce Tyldesley – 36:21
Bolton (238) – Martin Whitehead – 21:43, Sarah Watton – 22:52 (1st Lady), Ravi Patel – 24:44, Lawrence McDonald – 25:48, Andrew Norman – 27:01, Rick Winnard – 27:49, John Simms – 30:32, Paul Johnson – 30:57, Philip Glassbrook – 31:14, Don Taylor – 32:04, Natasha Clarke – 32:09, Sarah Jane Wells – 33:24, Jordan Hulme – 35:00, Andrew Parkinson – 36:50, David Allen – 41:12.
Sherwood Pines (358) – Simon Marland -24:30, Sue Marland – 36:21
Haigh Woodland (221) – Carol Richardson – 37:12, Michelle Livesey – 42:09
Stretford (615) – Steven Walsh – 23:31
Sale Water (213) – Mark Jackson – 22:08
Fleetwood (139) – Patrick Filio – 23:37
Isabel Trail (170) – Nia Bell – 29:04
Alderley Park (204) – Tom Stratton – 19:33, Katherine Baines – 24:06
Worden (105) – Ally Marland – 25:12
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