Members looking to qualify for the Club’s Off-Road Championship laced up their trail shoes this week to tackle the infamous 7K ‘Race to the Summit’. With a steep climb and unpredictable October weather, it was a great achievement to see a good number from the Club participate and several category winners crowned.
Mark Whittington and Stephen Horsman, 1st and 2nd Burndeners home, were both top of their Vet trees with Mark 1st MV50 in an astounding 37:10 and Stephen 1st MV60 in an impressive 41:15. Kathryn Baron was 1st Burnden lady and 1st FV55 in 51:11 and Ed Ashton claimed 3rd MV60 in 42:53.
A feature on the calendar in previous years, Captains Tony and Paul resurrected it for 2024. Part Fell, part Trail and a great one for Fell newbies, hopefuls start at the Summit Inn, race up to the White House pub, near Blackstone Edge, touch the pub wall then turn around and run back to the Summit. With its proximity to the date of Halloween, fancy dress is encouraged with prizes offered, which makes for a spectacular and spooky atmosphere.
Other summit-tastic results - Ian Pudge – 45:27, Andy Warburton – 49:52, Tim Taylor – 50:21, Ged Turner – 53:47, Marie Parkinson – 54:53, Louise Righini – 55:18, Nia Bell – 1:01:08, Tony Fulop – 1:17:40.
DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR XC TEAM
Captain Paul Duke has sent this report on our fantastic Cross Country Team.
“Burnden's cross country season for 24/25 has already started. We are 3 weeks into the new season and already competed in 4 races across 3 different leagues."
"The following members Kathryn Baron, Lyndsay Derbyshire, Paul Duke, Matt Dewhurst, Anne Ferguson, Jen Forkin, Verity Harrison, Stephen Horsman, Gwen Kinloch, Micheal Kermode, Steve Nolan, Ian Pudge, David Smith and Shirley Staveley have all taken part.
Micheal Kermode taking part in his first cross country season has continued his excellent form.
At the Red Rose league’s Witton Park, Blackburn First Male for Burnden was Michael Kermode and First Female for Burnden was Gwen Kinloch At Townley Park, Burnley, First Male for Burnden was Michael Kermode and First Female for Burnden was Gwen Kinloch.
At the South East Lancs league’s Heaton, Park, Manchester, First Male for Burnden was Paul Duke and First Female for Burnden was Gwen Kinloch.
At the Sunday Cross country League, Clarke Gardens, Liverpool - First Male for Burnden was Matt Dewhurst and First Female for Burnden was Kathryn Baron. Our next race is this Sunday at Beacon Country Park, Skelmersdale.”
TRIAL FOR LYALL IN THE DARK
Lyall Mew headed over to the Dark Side this week as he was the ‘soul’ representative for Burnden at the spooky Petzl Delamere Half Marathon. Set around the beautiful Delamere Forest, those trees and branches take on a darker tone when all you have is a head torch. But Lyall’s took the trail in his long strides and was out of danger in 1:48:17.
HELL FOR WALSH ON THE HUMBER
Halloween themed races were all the rage this week and Steven Walsh took on his own scare with the Hell on the Humber challenge. The ‘HOTH’ challenges are themed throughout the year and this month’s ‘Helloween’ was a fancy-dressed series of spooky endurance races on the famous Humber Bridge between the hours of 6pm and midnight.
Runners must complete as many four-mile laps as possible across the bridge from East Yorkshire to North Lincolnshire in the time period. Steven achieved an impressive 7 four-mile laps adding up to a total of 28 miles. He was joint fourth of 89 participants and was deservedly ‘quite chuffed’ as only 3 people went further than this.
BEACHY HEAD FOR THE MORRISONS
David and Julie Morrison were down in Eastbourne this week to each take on a separate challenge around the famous Beachy Head area. The Beachy Head races held over a weekend give runners a choice of four distances – the marathon, half marathon, ultra and 10K and are scenic but challenging fell races through the South Downs National Park. Julie opted for the 10K distance on the Saturday and finished in 1:13:00 and David completed the Half Marathon on the Sunday in 2:35:00.
TRIO IN SNOWDONIA
It may well be on many runners’ bucket lists to finish a marathon that has been voted the Best British Marathon twice and it is little surprise that some award-winning races are ballot entry. Three Burndeners ticked the item of the list this week when they completed the demanding Marathon Eyri in Wales.
The spectacular challenge encircles Yr Wyddfa – the highest peak in the country – and was conceived in 1982 as a dramatic alternative to the many races in the towns and cities.
Tom Stratton finished the distance in a breathtaking 3:40:41 followed by Katherine Baines in 4:30:04 and Mark Jackson in 5:53:22.
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