BURNDEN VISIT MR DARCY

Over to Lyme Park for the Club this weekend though not for tea and dancing but hills and more hills!

Lyme Park features in the 1990s BBC TV series of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ as the setting for arrogant Mr Darcy’s vast house, Pemberley. In one memorable scene, actor Colin Firth set hearts aflutter when he emerged dripping wet from the lake after an impromptu dive and Elizabeth Bennett starts to fall in love!

More importantly (of course!), Lyme Park has a parkrun in its famous grounds, which is decidedly challenging though absolutely beautiful.

Inclusion in the Off-Road championship resulted in a great turnout for Burnden and every runner was cheered in with welcome applause.

First home was Mark ‘Darcy’ Whittington in 20:54 (3rd overall) followed by Jake ‘Quickstep’ Quinn in 23:06 and Mark ‘Mr Collins’ Cannon in 23:11.

Ladies were led in by Katie ‘Kitty Bennet’ Walsh in 27:32 (3rd lady overall), Marie ‘Mary Bennet’ Parkinson in 29:20 and Elaine ‘Elizabeth Bennet’ Roper in 29:58.

Other splendid results – Gary Avison – 23:17, Neil Counsell – 25:05, Andy Dunleavy – 25:20, Gareth Lowe – 25:38, Andrew Crawford – 25:49, Lawrence McDonald – 27:47, Keith Thomas – 28:33, Mark Butler – 29:51, Jenni Partington – 31:14, Steve Holt – 31:44, Clair Marland – 32:03, Justin Bones – 33:04, Nia Bell – 33:08, Andrew Parkinson – 36:36, Carol Richardson – 40:30, Emma Walker – 40:30, Tony Fulop – 43:05, Steven Walsh – 44:36, Jen Forkin – 45:10, Jennifer Entwistle – 45:10, Cheryl Dunleavy – 45:38, Sarah Brown – 46:31, Michelle Livesey – 46:31, Ian Mann – 50:56, Gillian McGowan – 51:02.

ULTRA BURNDENERS TAKE ON THE LAP

A hardy cohort of BRRs are known for their love of Ultras, which is defined anything further than a marathon. We’ve seen everything from 27 to 100 miles completed on some strong pins! This week, a super tough pair of ladies from the Club took on ‘The Lap’, a seemingly innocent name hiding a mammoth 47 miles around Lake Windermere.

Stunning but strenuous, the challenge is open to runners and walkers and offers 24 hours as the time limit to circumnavigate England’s largest lake.

Striking lucky with the weather, avoiding torrential downpours, Jackie Oakes and Mumtaz Patel were the pair to take on the trek. Describing it as ‘brutal’ with ‘scary descents’, ‘amazing climbs’ and ‘spectacular views’, both ladies loved it – Mumtaz quoting she is ‘born for the trails’! Finish time for our pair was a very respectable 15:58:26.

DANISH PB FOR LEE AND COX

To the land of Hans Christian Andersen this week for two of our Burndeners as the Copenhagen Half Marathon got underway. Described as the ‘biggest running party of the year’, it’s an exciting build up. The route takes runners across all of the city’s colourful bridge districts and through the inner city amid an electrifying atmosphere.

Jessica Cox achieved a super PB as she crossed in 1:31:52 and Paul Cox also claimed a PB – crediting the thunderstorm at the start for his impressive 1:49:53!

FOUR TAKE VET CAT WINS AT TEAM DEANE

With most members resting after the joys of Lyme Park’s hills, Burnden Road Runners sent a tiny team to the local Team Deane 10K this year and all 4 brought home Vet category wins!

The race is in memory of Alison Brady and donations are made to Bolton Hospice. Starting from Chew Moor, the route leads runners along the Middlebrook Trail before returning. First home was Martin Cullen in 47:31 taking 1st MV60. Next was Amy Smith – 2nd Senior Female in 1:01:14 followed by Tony Fulop – 1st MV65 and Gillian McGowan claimed 1st FV60 in 1:18:02.

10K SINGLE LADIES

Two of Burnden’s ladies went their separate ways this week to represent at two of the popular 10K races.

Natasha Clark was at the tough Tatton Park, which holds several races each month. Running alongside several deer was a highlight for Tasha and she finished the scenic route in a ‘deer-lightful’ 1:02:43.

Louise Righini took the splashy route and opted for the Yarrow Splash 10K, a Mad Bull events special which actually requires runners to wade across a river at an infamous point in the course. Louise finished in a splasherrific 1:11:51.

DUNLEAVYS DEFEAT DELAMERE

The Delamere Forest 10K is a beautiful and shady spot within Cheshire and it was here that the Dunleavys decided to make a weekend of it following Lyme Park parkrun.

The trail challenge comprises one lap starting and finishing at Delamere Forest visitor centre and takes runners deep into the forest, around the Blakemere Moss, along the Sandstone Trail, and up Old Pale Hill for panoramic views of the Cheshire countryside.

Andy was first home taking a Vet Category win- 1st MV60 – 70 in 49:14. Cheryl crossed the line in 1:19:49.