Burnden’s fantastic Cross Country Team was represented this weekend at the Lancashire Championships in Blackburn by three hardy racers. In a field of 136 for the Men’s race, Matt Dewhurst was first BRR home in 40:56 and took position 73. Andy Staveley and Keith Thomas both took home Vet Category crowns with Staveley 2nd Vet 60 – 7 seconds behind the 1st – and Thomas concluding the day’s racing by finishing 2nd Vet 65.
FULOP’S BIG FREEZE
Tony Fulop flew the flag for Burnden at the Hit the Trail 5 Mile this weekend – finishing with a sub-hour time despite the weather presenting a sub-zero challenge.
Taking in the beautiful Reddish Vale and Tiviot Way along the way, Tony’s finishing time for the Stockport-based race was a terrific 54:27.
Undoubtedly while warming up inside, Tony commented,
“Mud and water to be had along the route. I am just about thawing out now - biggest puddles I have seen in a long time, cold. cold cold!”
CENTRAL LANCS NY HALF
Four Burndeners started off the new year in style with a hefty half marathon not too far from home.
Tess Riley, Gillian McGowan, Andy Dunleavy and Bernie Jones completed the Central Lancs New Year Half in Lea Town, Preston. For Bernie Jones, it was a special day as she completed her very first half marathon distance - crossing the line in 2:09:06. Bernie is training up for the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon later in the year and raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease.
Andy Dunleavy finished as first Burnden Road Runner in 1:30:14, claiming 1st Male Vet 65, Teresa finished in 2:15:06 and Gillian was crowned 2nd V60 lady in 2:48:46.
Gillian described the race as 'flattish and picturesque around countryside roads and villages. It's a great way to burn off festive calories."
PARKRUN
All parkruns were back to normal on Saturday this week – here is the round up of results with a special mention for Suleman Badat who finished 2nd overall at Bolton in 20:23 and for Lee White who finished in 6th overall position at Worsley Woods with a sub-20 of 19:53.
Special mention also to Michael Kermode – our new 007 in 20:58 at Sale Water. In Michael’s words,
“I finished ahead in a 3 way tie to become the new James Bond (position 007) and in the process I achieve a sub 21 on a cold foggy morning.”
Heaton Park – Attendance 954
Adrian Ashburn – 22:32, Chris Greenall – 26:25, Steven Bate – 27:00
Luton Wardown – Attendance 307
Simon Marland – 23:43, Sue Marland – 34:05
Hyndburn – Attendance 184
Holly Craggs – 30:04
Strathclyde – Attendance 510
Gwen Kinloch – 21:57, Andy Warburton – 27:21
Worsley Woods – Attendance – 382
Lee White – 19:23, Carol Richardson – 31:33, Michelle Livesey – 39:03
Exeter Riverside – Attendance 238
Colm O’Brien – 24:48
Sale Water – Attendance 275
Michael Kermode – 20:58
Steven Walsh - 24:11
Bolton – Attendance 279
Suleman Badat – 20:23, Mark Jackson – 22:44, Mark Cannon – 23:21, Chris Worthington – 23:33, Stephen Horsman – 23:54, Ian Pudge – 24:33, Jonathan Sangster – 24:44, Andrew Crawford – 25:02, Marcus Hamer – 25:13, Martin Cullen – 25:40, Vicki Hamer – 27:31, Sarah Watton – 27:31, Gareth Doherty – 27:32, Andy Dunleavy – 27:44, Gillian Morris – 29:36, Paul Johnson – 29:56, Linda Doherty – 29:56, Luke Newell – 31:02, Nia Bell – 32:17, Philip Glassbrook – 33:11, Nicola Halsall – 33:11, Jenni Partington – 33:23, Steven Snape – 33:38, Alyson Cullen – 35:40, Robert Bell – 38:53, Ian Mann – 40:46, Cheryl Dunleavy – 41:18, Gillian McGowan – 57:14, Teresa Riley – 57:15