COACH CLAIMS FIRST PRIZE AT THE CANAL

The Dunleavys headed to Huddersfield for the 10K Slaithwaite Slog – an out and back route along the canal – testing their legs and endurance with a steady climb up the hilly locks. Coach Andy worked hard and was rewarded with the 1st Male trophy in a superb time of 42:31 and Cheryl added another medal to her 10K collection – finishing in a great time of 1:13:53. The Yorkshire race is always a popular one – offering finishers a cake table and beer as well as the obligatory bling!

LEGEND BECOMES A LEJOG CHAMPION

“Lands End to John O’Groats? No problem!” said our Gillian
Burnden legend Gillian McGowan is the smiling presence at every race, always up for a challenge and her recent undertaking was no mean feat – measuring a phenomenal 1,084 miles!
Gillian is now a LEJOG champion after spending 6 months completing the virtual journey from Lands End to John O’Groats by running, walking and cycling. Gillian used every opportunity she could to complete the distance – joining the Monday training nights, 1 Foot on the Track at Leverhulme Park on a Wednesday, the Club Championship Races from the Sale Sizzler 5K to the Lancaster Half, the Virtual Club Challenges, an impromptu marathon and also joining up with Harwood Cycling and North Bolton Runners.

KNUTSFORD 10K FOR OUR BEES

Sarah Brown and Ian Mann, both recent graduates of the Burnden ‘Bee-ginners’ group, joined forces at the weekend to face the flat and fast 10K course in Knutsford, Cheshire. The race takes runners along beautiful country lanes through Over Peover, Snelson and Peover Heath. For Sarah, it was her first 10K and second race and she achieved a brilliant time of 1:10:58. Ian managed to break his PB – cutting almost 4 minutes off and crossing the line in 1:06:31.

MUD GLORIOUS MUD FOR THE MUDDERS

Heaton Park’s Pretty Muddy 5K was the destination for a brave quartet as they raised money for Cancer Research UK. Tracy Berry, Louise Righini, Emma Sleith and Rhia Carr AKA The Bolton Mudders took on a variety of obstacles to complete the course - using not only running but bouncing and climbing as well!

RIGHINI’S RACES FOR THE HOSPICE

Louise Righini took full advantage of the weekend to add to her total number of runs for Bolton Hospice by returning to Heaton Park on Sunday and running the Race for Life 10K as her number 33. Louise is heading closer to her goal number of 40 races before her 40th birthday in December as part of the Hospice’s 500 Faces Fundraising Appeal.

KINLOCH 1ST V60 AT CROSS COUNTRY

Race two of the Red Rose Cross Country League kicked off on Saturday afternoon – bringing 14 members to Leverhulme Park and resulting in category wins, smiles and lots of mud and war paint! Gareth Doherty was on hand to take photos for the group and did a cracking job of capturing the spirit of the event. There was a great atmosphere as Burnden brought their stars to perform with Sarah Watton, Paul Duke and Gwen Kinloch all achieving accolades for the club.

Sarah Watton was first Burndener home in a fantastic 24:59. Just 20 seconds behind was Gwen Kinloch – achieving 1st in her age category in 25:19 and Anne Ferguson 3rd home but just 14 seconds behind Kinloch and 2nd in her age category with 25:33.
Other results for the ladies were Holly Craggs – 26:57, Linda O’Byrne – 28:02, First Timer Chelsea Entwistle – 31:18 and Liz Hopley – 33:59.

Captain, Paul Duke was 1st Burnden home and 2nd in his age category – finishing the course in a brilliant 39:16 and was followed minutes later by Pete Hopley in 43:53 and William Thomas in 45:05.
Other results for the men were Tony Wall – 48:08, Gareth Lowe – 48:22, Neil Counsell – 50:41 and Andrew Warburton – 55:16.

CHAIRMAN WINS DOUBLE GOLD AT THE MASTERS
After a gap of just over 6 years Burnden’s chairman, Paul Christie, took to the track again at the Northern Masters Track and Field Championships on Sunday.
First up was the 800 metres and there was a field of 5 male vet 65s in the event. Running in the outside lane for the first 100 metres, Paul took the shoulder of the leader for the rest of the first lap. Part way through the second and final lap someone overtook on the outside, but Paul accelerated to keep possession of the first lane and to force his opponent to run wide. Coming off the final bend Paul accelerated to finish first in a time of 2 minutes and 50.6 seconds to claim the gold medal.
After a gap of just over 2 and a half hours it was the ‘lung-busting’ 400 metres event. Two male vet 60s and two male vet 65s joined Paul on the staggered start line as this race in run entirely within your lane. Running in the middle lane, from the start Paul was closing down on the runners on the outside lanes but had no idea about the two runners on the inside. As the stagger unwound on the final bend Paul again found himself in front and, despite the legs starting to tighten up, managed to hold his position to again finish first in a time of 1 minute and 13.9 seconds. Two gold medals! Not a bad afternoon’s work.

PARKRUN DAY AKA SATURDAY
28 Burndeners were out early on Saturday to populate the local Parkruns.
Chris Fielding was first back at Bolton in a great time of 22:40 in position 20 of 266 while Mark Jackson achieved sub-20 over at Heaton Park with 19:30. Tony Fulop smashed his PB over at Peel with 29:31.
Other Parkrun hotspots for Burnden this week were Haigh Woodland, Wythenshawe and Cheadle Hulme