BADAT 1ST HOME, PB FOR WALSH AND KINLOCH 1ST VET AT SIZZLING SALE

The Sale Sizzler is a fast and flat series of 5Ks with a track start and finish. Running in the summer evenings throughout June, July and August, it is a popular choice for PB chasers and its hosts, Sale Harriers, have produced many Olympians from its base at Wythenshawe Park. Chosen by the Burnden Captains for the Club Championship, this first race of the series welcomed over a quarter of the membership – 56 exactly – making a fabulous sun-drenched photograph to kick off the evening!

The park was sweltering on this Summer Night but despite the intense heat, there was some serious Greased Lightning speed to be witnessed and someone should check those front runners’ trainers for hidden wings!

Super Suleman Badat led us home again, following his impressive performance at the Haigh Hall 4, with a phenomenal time of 17:49, which placed him 7th. Whippet-quick Mark Whittington was next out of the fire in 18:47 and rounding up the top 3 was Alexander Shield in 19:17.

Sub 20s kept coming with Gary Avison in 19:24, Lee White in 19:26, Martin Fielding in 19:36 and Michael Kermode in 19:54.

The ladies were incredibly quick with Jessica Lee 1st home in 21:34, Gwen Kinloch 2nd in 22:08 – claiming 1st FV65 and Vicki Hamer 3rd in 22:40. With ever-increasing speed in her recent races, Katie Walsh netted a PB in 22:44 – placing 4th Burnden lady. Marie Parkinson took 3rd FV60 with 23:48 and Francis Mackin was crowned 1st MV75 in 25:39.

Other burning results –

Ryan Moore – 20:04, Lyall Mew – 20:05, Ravi Patel – 20:29, Gareth Doherty – 20:50, Martin Whitehead – 21:27, Jake Quinn – 21:29, Marcus Chester – 21:59, Stephen Horsman – 22:01, Gareth Lowe – 22:04, Gayle Gerrard – 23:20, Francesca Caine – 24:15, Kimberley Lowe – 24:29, Andrew Norman – 24:29, Anne Ferguson – 24:32, Shirley Staveley – 24:35, Linda Doherty – 24:41, Jenni Partington – 24:49, Luisa Shield – 25:28, Rich Burnett – 25:31, Andy Warburton – 25:39, Rick Winnard – 26:11, Jane Forrest 26:17, Clair Marland – 26:22, Mark Butler – 26:53, Elaine Roper – 27:00, Emma Walker – 28:32, Catherine Shield – 28:49, Gillian Morris – 29:30, Amy Smith – 29:33, Nia Bell – 30:11, Tess Riley – 30:35, Todd Cameron – 31:30, Julie Riddle – 32:12, Debra Hennessey – 34:40, Joanne Fielding – 35:14,Tony Fulop – 37:12, Michelle Livesey – 39:33, Ian Mann – 39:41, Gillian McGowan – 59:12, Suzanne Walmsley – 59:13.

CHOO-CHOO TRAINING – THE RACE WITH A DIFFERENCE

Always a steaming success, Race the Train is a firm local favourite and even featured on Yesterday TV. Approximately 10.5 miles in distance, a pull for runners is the novelty aspect of trying to beat the train’s time of 1:35:00.

In partnership with East Lancashire Railways, the course begins from Bury Train station where runners gather on Platform 3 to register. On the sound of the steam train’s whistle, runners set off north along trail paths, which wind their way alongside the railway tracks and the River Irwell. The train travels south to the next station and then changes tracks – chasing the runners as it makes its way to Rawtenstall Station where the race concludes. The route is undulating and varied – delighting and challenging runners in equal measure.

Just five took a seat in the Burnden carriage this year and Suleman Badat steered them home in a chuffing 1:12:02 – easily beating the train and collecting 3rd MV45. Jessica Lee was 1st Burnden lady in 1:28:05 – also arriving home before the train pulled in. Gayle Gerrard was next in 1:37:59 followed by Emma Walker in 2:03:44 and Justin Bones in 2:04:20.

BERRY BUSY

Fresh from placing top 3 ladies at Night Run 5K and smashing a Hyrox event, Burndener and Pilates Instructor, Lisa Berry, has been busy squeezing in even more challenging events.

Accompanied by a friend, Lisa has taken on not only the Deadly Dozen, described as ‘one of the hardest yet most accessible fitness races in the world!’ with 12 ‘Labours’ but also the Wild Hybrid at Tatton Park. Both events feature track and gym-based challenges designed to test physical endurance and strength.

Lisa scaled it down slightly this weekend by being one of 250 participants in Bolton Arena’s Colour Run, a 3K event where you resemble a rainbow at the end from being showered in clouds of coloured paint!

Lisa enjoyed the run but was convinced that she inhaled some of the colour, which even made its way into her contact lenses. Maybe a run where goggles and masks are required!