Proudly wearing the black and grey Burndeners were on new turf for parkrun this week. Captain Couple, Linda and Gareth Doherty – Ladies’ and Men’s Captains respectively – have chosen Alexandra parkrun in Moss Side, Manchester, as the first event in the much anticipated Club Championship list. With the intention of repeating the event in December – and adding an unknown prize for the most improved - this parkrun was hotly contested.
Newcomer to Burnden and esteemed triathlete, Matt Dewhurst, has been making waves at the Cross Country courses and here was no exception. Matt was the first Burndener across the parkrun line in an incredible 17:20. Suleman Badat was next to cross – smashing his PB – in 18:03. Matt Whittington followed – also with a smashed PB – in 18:13.
First ladies to cross were Sarah Watton in 20:11, Lyndsay Darbyshire – 21:52 and Gwen Kinloch in 22:15. A special shout-out to Gwen as her age-grading percentage is at world-class levels!
A shout out to Philip Glassbrook as he crossed in 29:29 – his fastest time in 4 years and only 4 minutes slower than in 2013. A big welcome back to running for Mel Walker – 33:00.
PB Setters – Marcus Chester – 19:30, Andrew Crawford – 21:06, David Smith – 21:46, Simon Entwistle – 23:31, Mark Butler – 25:58, Jenni Partington – 26:06, Kathryn Baron – 29:36, Jennifer Entwistle – 30:05, Anthony Fulop – 31:27, Sue Marland – 32:40,
Other Alexandra finishers - Paul Duke – 18:30, Lee White – 18:37, Tom Stratton – 19:35, Martin Whitehead – 19:41, Andy Dunleavy – 19:45, Ravi Patel – 19:59, Ian Pudge – 20:15, Mark Jackson – 20:44, Gareth Doherty – 20:49, Mark Cannon – 21:14, Marcus Hamer – 21:44, Jonathan Sangster – 22:01, Adrian Ashburn – 22:03, Michael Caine – 22:28, Paul Willan – 22:32, Shirley Staveley – 22:33, Lawrence McDonald – 22:40, Gareth Lowe – 22:44, Colm O’Brien – 23:08, Simon Marland – 23:17, Vicki Hamer – 23:41, Paul Drew – 23:43, Ivan Brown – 23:43, Neil Counsell – 23:52, Anne Ferguson – 23:55, Linda Doherty – 24:09, Rick Winnard – 25:15, Tony Woodiwiss – 25:40, Kathryn Berry – 26:05, Andy Warburton – 26:30, Richard Blake – 26:41, Teresa Riley – 27:00, Emma Walker – 27:21, Nicola Halsall – 27:56, Mark Turner – 28:47, Gillian Morris – 28:51, Sandra Caine – 28:54, Luke Newell – 29:15, Carolyn Edwards – 29:36, Joanna Warburton – 29:39, Sarah Brown – 30:16, Don Taylor – 30:29, Natasha Clarke – 31:00, Steven Snape – 31:59, Joanne Eddleston – 33:25, Shirley Robinson – 33:38, Sarah Woodiwiss – 33:38, Sharon Drew – 33:40, Andrew Parkinson – 33:48, Jen Forkin – 34:15, Robert Bell – 34:43, Joyce Tyldesley – 35:00, Cheryl Dunleavy – 35:43, Gillian McGowan – 36:17, Ian Mann – 38:34, Trevor Eagle – 40:52.
(Attendance 566)
Elsewhere in parkrun land –
Krakow, Poland – Attendance 431 – Lyall Mew – 20:39, Josh Palmer – 30:53
Bolton (Happy 13th Birthday!) – Attendance 256 – Chris Worthington – 24:02, Gemma Chapman – 32:39, Paul Johnson – 35:32.
Heaton Park – Attendance 620 – Gayle Gerrard – 26:49
Haigh Woodland – Attendance 226 - Carol Richardson – 32:00
SUNDAY FUNDAY FOR XC THREE
The die-hard Cross Country Champs were out for the Sunday league this week and it was a watery one over at Croxteth Park. Here is the report from Captain Paul Duke…
“Great events these Sunday Cross Country runs where men and ladies race together over a 5 mile course - no times are recorded just positions.
Croxteth Park is renowed for having a boggy section of the course where runners are literally wading through water. Friendly atmosphere – it is an event organised by runners for runners.
This was the final race of the season and I can't wait for the next season to start in October 2024... Comments by those who raced.
Tony said, ‘I enjoyed the race, as I have said of the three leagues we compete in I think this is the best, they are very friendly and inclusive, I enjoy all their events!’
Keith mentioned ‘great venue, good course and the deep water obstacle was good to wash the mud off from my fall!’
Final positions were Paul Duke - position 48, Keith Thomas - position 114, Tony Fulop - position 174.”
CROSS COUNTRY CAINE IS A STAR
Though at University, Francesca Caine doesn’t let the grass grow under her running shoes. This week she took part in the BUCS (British Universities College and Sport) Cross Country event with her Edge Hill team at Temple Newsam – landscaped grounds surrounding a Tudor-Jacobean house in Leeds.
Navigating a steep hill, which was joined by many, many others, Francesca finished the course in a brilliant 43:01.
SULEMAN 1ST VET AT BLACKBURN
A small group of Burndeners were back at Blackburn to warm up for the season with their Winter Warmer 10K. Described as ‘friendly but challenging’, this course begins on Witton Park’s athletics track, takes runners on a hike up Buncer Lane and descends through Pleasington countryside before finishing with a sprint track finish.
Suleman Badat, 2023’s Club Championship Men’s Winner – put in another excellent performance. He collected 1st M45 in a superb 38:54. David Smith was home in 49:13, Richard Blake in 59:23, Joanne Eddleston in 1:18:08 and Gillian McGowan – 1:18:09.
VERITY FAST TURN(ER)
Mr Sparkles Dark Un is probably the best name for a race that I’ve ever heard and, quite unsurprisingly, it’s a night run!
A fell race by head torch, the Dark Un took Verity Harrison and Ged Turner 5 miles around Roddlesworth and Darwen moor. Ged commented, ‘Lots of steep climbs, great fun and chip butties afterwards’.
Verity finished in a sparkling 51:14 and Ged saw the light in 57:53.