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 no exception as, while a large contingent of the club headed for the Lakes, 8 BRRs were Wigan-bound to compete in the Half Marathon.
Coach and Chair, Andy Dunleavy, clinched the 1st Vet 65 crown despite a tumble on top of Haigh. Thankfully fine, Andy crossed the line to win the accolade ahead of 8 other Vets in 1:38:25.
First Burndener home with a half-marathon PB was Michael Kermode in 1:31:02 followed by Ravi Patel in 1:36:07. Martin Whitehead secured a PB of over 3.5 minutes with 1:37:07. First Burnden lady home was Carol Richardson in 2:21:13. Other super results as follows – Josh Palmer – 1:56:27, Sarah Brown – 2:49:41, Cheryl Dunleavy – 2:49:42.
GALLOPING GARSTANG FOR FULOP
Legendary runner, Tony Fulop, flew the flag for Burnden at the 7-mile Garstang Gallop this weekend and collected a PB of just over 3 minutes.
The race is a deceptively tough but pretty journey around the village – featuring numerous hills. Tony crossed in 1:19:53, knocking minutes from his 2022 time of 1:23:02.
BATEY ROLLS HOME
Rolling solo this year at the Roddlesworth Roller was Steven Bate. The 9km trail race is organised by Mad Bull events and is a friendly charity run for all abilities – taking in paths and roads around lakes and through woods.
Steven finished in an impressive 57:25.
BRRILLIANT BURNDEN BREAK
This weekend was a little different for an excited group Burndeners as it was time for the now annual Burnden Lakes Break. People arrived in pockets across Friday and checked into Denton Hostel in the picturesque Keswick town centre.
Ged Turner, with the help of Gillian McGowan, Jennifer Entwistle and Kath and Andrew Berry had planned a superb weekend of running and the evenings were spent playing a variety of games which brought the club together.
Friday afternoon began with a 10K run up to the Stone Circle and back through Spring Woods. Saturday morning was a takeover at Keswick parkrun where Burnden received a wonderful welcome from the organisers and marshals.
Tom Stratton was 1st Burndener home in a super 19:08 – claiming 5th overall position of 267 runners. First Burnden lady was Vicki Hamer in 24:01. Other times are listed below.
Saturday afternoon gathered a group of Burndeners to beautiful Buttermere village where there was a planned walk and run around the perimeter of the stunning lake.
Sunday saw a friendly walk up Latrigg Terrace before members said their farewells.
Results from Keswick parkrun
Gareth Doherty -19:44 (9th), Steve Nolan – 20:15, Mark Cannon – 20:41, Andrew Crawford – 21:15, Michael Caine – 22:23, David Smith – 23:19, Neil Counsell – 23:20, Gareth Lowe – 23:52, Linda Doherty – 25:52, Katherine Baines – 26:02, Ged Turner – 26:45, Jenni Partington – 27:04, Bernie Jones – 27:37, Emma Walker – 28:25, Teresa Riley – 28:50, Sandra Caine – 29:11, Nicola Halsall – 29:12, Gillian Morris – 29:25, Kathryn Berry- 29:27, Nia Bell – 29:50, Kathryn Baron – 29:51, Jennifer Entwistle – 30:04, Jennifer Forkin – 33:14, Shirley Robinson – 33:16, Gillian McGowan – 37:05, Ian Mann – 38:41.
PARKRUNS ELSEWHERE
Bolton – John Simms – 23:17, Stephen Horsman – 23:29, Martin Archer – 25:21, Rick Winnard – 27:10, Nick Haworth – 28:00, Ravi Patel – 28:02, Philip Glassbrook – 32:10, Maggie Slamin – 32:44, David Allen – 34:55, Sarah Jane Wells – 38:27, Jordan Hulme – 39:07, Sarah Brown – 39:46, Andrew Parkinson – 44:19.
Worsley Woods – Mark Jackson – 30:47
Heaton Park – Gayle Gerrard – 25:50
St Helens – Richard Blake – 26:10
Brierley Forest – Simon Marland – 24:38, Sue Marland – 34:36
Pennington Flash – Steven Snape – 32:53, Jocelyn Chadderton – 34:05, Joyce Tyldesley – 36:57
Widnes – Adrian Ashburn – 23:59
Queen’s, Glasgow – Colm O’Brien -25:24, Jane Forrest – 28:58
Yarborough Leisure Centre – Steven Walsh – 23:09
Clarence – George Ogden -44:24