With a mix of closed roads, live entertainment and fancy bling, the Wigan Running Festival is a popular choice for Burnden runners. This year was extra special as the Wigan Half Marathon marked the first long distance race on the Club Championship list.
Despite ‘The Hill’ at Mile 9, Burndeners were in high spirits as they soaked up the party atmosphere and joined hundreds of runners in making a sign of interlocking finger and thumb at the start line – to mark the connection with the Joining Jack charity.
The route is varied – beginning from Mesnes Park, passing Wigan’s football stadium, an old Heinz factory and following the Leeds-Liverpool canal before heading into a scenic nature reserve and the grounds of Haigh Hall. A spectacular well supported finish, a fabulous Burnden support crew stationed at Haigh and a great goody bag with bling and a t-shirt made the slog worth it and Burnden brought home times to make Bolton proud. Three category wins from Gwen Kinloch, Simon Marland and Lyndsay Darbyshire, as well as several category places in the top three, cemented the Club as having blinging Burnden brilliance once again.
First Burndener home was Matt Dewhurst in an astounding 1:19:11. Second runner was Andrew Horrocks in 1:24:39 and Mark Whittington closed the top 3 in 1:25:37- placing 3rd in his MV50 age category. Simon Marland won his MV65 age category in 1:39:52.
Our top 3 ladies were Gwen Kinloch who won her FV65 age category in 1:37:21, Lyndsay Darbyshire – 1st FV55 in 1:41:21 and Francesca Caine in 1:41:39.
Other category places went to Anne Ferguson – 2nd FV65 in 1:49:33, Marcus Hamer – 2nd MV65 in 1:49:20, Mike Caine – 3rd MV55 in 1:34:28, Ed Ashton – 3rd MV60 in 1:36:52 and Katherine Baines – 3rd FV40 in 1:45:03.
More Wigan-terrific results – Tom Stratton – 1:27:41, Michael Kermode – 1:29:47, Gareth Doherty – 1:35:53, Stephen Horsman – 1:38:37, Phillip Fryer – 1:40:11, Martin Fielding – 1:40:17, Lyall Mew – 1:40:52, Martin Whitehead – 1:41:28, Gregg Beardwell – 1:42:41, Gayle Gerrard – 1:44:26, Helen Bury – 1:45:31, Alistair Marland – 1:45:44, Dean Covill – 1:47:53, Martin Cullen – 1:50:18, Paul Willan – 1:52:16, Rich Burnett – 1:56:55, David Morrison – 1:57:08, Mark Butler – 1:57:16, Linda Doherty – 1:59:22, Jane Forrest – 1:59:40, Elaine Roper – 2:00:46, Kathryn Baron – 2:04:18, Julia Hall – 2:05:45, Katie Walsh – 2:07:44, Louise Righini – 2:11:59, Natasha Clarke – 2:18:09, Emma Walker – 2:18:21, Sandra Caine – 2:18:36, Chelsea Entwistle – 2:18:36, Sarah Brown – 2:18:51, Carol Richardson – 2:19:21, Julie Morrison – 2:25:37, Justin Bones – 2:26:21, Sarah Woodiwiss – 2:26:24, Tony Woodiwiss – 2:26:25, Joanna Fielding – 2:26:52, Susan Wood – 2:30:53, Debra Hennessey – 2:31:08, Sue Marland – 2:35:38, Jennifer Entwistle – 2:42:17, Shirley Robinson – 2:42:18, Jennifer Forkin – 2:42:19, Tony Fulop – 2:50:56.
Gillian McGowan flew the Burnden flag at the Wigan 5K race – finishing in 38:56.
BATH HALF FULL FOR TESS
Bubbles were flowing for Tess Riley as she sunk all the way to the South-West to compete in the Bath Half Marathon. A huge charity event, having raised over £30 million since 2000, the Bath Half is a traffic free course around the UK’s only World Heritage City. Tess flowed through the city in a watery-wonderful 2:16:34.
HYROX COUPLE
Martin Fielding was back at the Hyrox event, this time returning with wife, Joanna, who is no newbie to the sport.
Described as ‘the world series of fitness racing’, this brutal training event is super popular all over the UK and the Fieldings headed to Glasgow for the doubles edition.
With supporters providing an electrifying atmosphere throughout, the sport of Hyrox incorporates cardio and strength racing 1km between eight activities – SkiErg, Sled Push, Sled Pull, Burpee Broad Jumps, Rowing, Farmers Carry, Sandbag Lunges and Wall Balls.
The Fieldings smashed this terrifying event in 1:25:51.
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