Tuesday 10th May 2022
The Horwich Triathlon beckoned for a quintet of hardy Burndeners who took on the triple threat this week. Not for the faint-hearted, the tough challenge is open to all abilities and is one of the oldest triathlons in the North-West at the grand old age of 25. It is part of the EPIC Club Championships where Burnden can score points for having competitiors in the race and where the club finishing highest in the ranks wins £500 to donate to a charity of their choice.
Gareth Doherty, Andy Dunleavy, Stephen Horsman, Jonathan Sangster and Tim Taylor all gathered their swim, bike, run gear and met for an early start at the leisure centre for the 500 metres long dip in the pool.
The swim stats were impressive as Sangster was in and out of the pool in a smooth 11:08 at an astonishing 2:13 minutes per 100m, Taylor in 12:32, Horsman in 13:33, Dunleavy in 16:14 and Doherty in 17:43.
Saddles were ahoy as it was then onto the bikes for a 40K undulating cycle ride, which our intrepid four completed in the following times – Sangster – 1:15:18, Horsman – 1:21:47, Taylor – 1:31:11, Dunleavy – 1:31:12 and Doherty – 1:35:31.
Finally, the most brutal part arrived – the discipline in which all four are arguably strongest – the run.
Horwich Triathlon is 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.
Sangster was back in 40:23, Doherty in 48:37, Horsman in 50:10, Dunleavy in 50:37 and Taylor in 55:35.
Our Tri-tastic stars all put in solid performances at this tough endurance test and pace times for all three disciplines were impressive within a talented arena of 269 athletes.
Jonathan Sangster was highest in the Burnden ranks with a brilliant triathlon time of 2:09:24 and finishing in a super 29th position.
Second was Stephen Horsman with a swift 2:30:22 and 107th position as well as 4th V60. Andy Dunleavy was third Burndener with a great 2:44:11 and 166th position.
Tim Taylor was just 1 minute and 29 seconds behind Dunleavy in a sound time of 2:45:40 and 174th position while Gareth Doherty was a mere 30 seconds behind Taylor in a super 2:46:10 and 178th position – making him the fifth member of the Burnden Tri-quintuplets to complete the race.
PALMER AND RUSHTON RUN FOR CHEESE
While the Triathlon was well underway, two members ventured further afield to run the Blacksticks Blue 10K – a popular Championship choice a few years back because of its finishing prize of Blacksticks Blue cheese – the race’s namesake.
Josh Palmer was round the course in a great time of 56:30 and Dave Rushton completed the 6.2, his first race for the Club, in a quick 47:31.
SPLASHY CATEGORY WIN FOR LOWE
Gareth Lowe continued his impressive running performance by pocketing a V40 category win at the Yarrow River Bluebell 10K.
The beautiful woodland route demands runners navigate their way across a river and has some challenging inclines and undulations. Lowe finished in a soakingly-good time of 54:26 and 29th overall position
The Astley Trail Series of races are set in the picturesque grounds of Astley Hall in Chorley and take place on the first Wednesday of every month from May to August. The race series draws runners from all over the North West of England and eight Burndeners made their way there this week.
Lyndsay Darbyshire achieved 1st V50 with a great time of 28:25 and Gwen Kinloch was awarded 2nd V60 for her impressive performance – she completed the 5K course in 28:02. Anne Ferguson was 3rd V60 with a super 28:48.
First male Burndener home was Gareth Lowe in another solid performance of 26:17.
Other results – Paul Christie – 27:47, Steven Bate – 27:59, Mark Butler – 30:36, Andy Warburton – 31:21.
WOODIWISS HITS THE HEIGHTS
GB Ultra Ambassador, Sarah Woodiwiss, completed an incredible 50 miles this weekend as she took on the Pennine Barrier 50 Mile Race, which includes just under a dizzying 9000 feet of elevation.
The route starts at the pretty village of Malham and leads runners round trails taking in Malham cove, the Dry Valley of Watlowes, Malham Tarn, Fountains Fell, Janet’s Foss and the wonderful Yorkshire 3 Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough
Sarah was out on the course for a challenging 16 hours, 22 minutes and 46 seconds.
23 members populated Parkruns this weekend and the times were as follows -
At Bolton Parkrun, Mark Cannon was first member and first male to finish this week in a fantastic 22:01 – giving him 9th overall position. Vicki Hamer was first female member to finish in an impressive 24:16 and 33rd overall position.
Martin Whitehead – 22:40, David Aulton, Richard Blake, Francis Mackin, Paul Johnson, Louise Righini, Linda O’Byrne, Sarah Brown, Jenni Partington, Cheryl Dunleavy, Debra Hennessey, Joyce Tyldesley, Gillian McGowan,
Further afield – the results were as follows -
Heaton Park - Adrian Ashburn – 22:01, Worsley Woods - Paul Christie – 22:36, Carolyn Edwards – 30:31, Witton - Liz Hopley – 31:55, Haigh Woodland –
Pete Hopley – 19:48, Stretford - Mark Jackson – 19:52, Cliffe Castle – Simon Marland – 24:44, Sue Blackman – 36:05, Peel - Ian Mann – 32:40.