FORTY AND FABULOUS!

Burnden Road Runners hit a huge milestone this week as November 2025 marks 40 years since the Club’s affiliation with England Athletics.

Members poured in to celebrate Burnden’s big birthday at Georgian House with a BBQ buffet, DJ and dancing - organised by Kath and Andrew Berry and Jennifer Entwistle. Former Chairs and original member, Kath, contributed to an interesting speech on the Club’s history, which culminated with a thank you from current Burnden Chair, Tony Fulop.

The roots of Burnden Road Runners were planted in 1985 as a fundraiser for Bolton Wanderers. In 1983, Vince Regan, a former international runner, approached then manager of BWFC, John McGovern, to run in Bolton’s own Adidas British Marathon. John accepted the challenge and invited others to join him as members of the Wanderers Lifeline Team. Following the marathon, several finishers decided to keep going with the running group and raise money for local charities. This was the beginning of Burnden – then known as the Lifeline Running Group. In 1985, affiliation with England Athletics meant that the Club was official and it was renamed Burnden Road Runners as a nod to Bolton Wanderers’ then home, Burnden Park, and to early member, Jimmy Goodinson who was known for racing dressed head to toe as the original Roadrunner!

Everyone past and present involved in Burnden Road Runners has contributed to its success and we as the 200+ membership are all super proud of our Club!

Here’s to the next 40 years! To find out more about Burnden Road Runners and how you can join us, follow our Facebook and Instagram pages @burndenroadrunners or visit www.burndenroadrunners.co.uk!

BURNDEN DRAIN THE LAST DROP

After the night’s festivities, it was business as usual as members headed off to the local Last Drop to take on the last of the CLGP races.

The 5K course, organised by fellow local running club, North Bolton Runners, based in Bromley Cross, began at the Last Drop Village Spa and Hotel and was pretty tough with steep inclines and cold weather.

First in was Jonny Sangster – 3rd overall and 1st MV40 in a sozzling 19:20. Next in quick succession came Andy Horrocks – 2nd MV45 in 21:25 and Suleman Badat in 21:40. Mark Cannon claimed 1st MV60 in 22:59 and Andy Dunleavy took 1st MV65 in 24:32. Paul Christie was crowned 1st MV70 in 29:08 and Finlay Coyne was 1st MV75 in 34:03. Linda Coffey took 3rd FV70 in 36:43.

First lady was Marie Parkinson - 1st FV60 in 27:48 followed by Kathryn Baron – 2nd FV60 in 27:57 and Jenni Partington in 30:04.

Other results – Jake Quinn – 22:48, Gary Avison – 23:21, Phil Fryer – 23:26, Gareth Lowe – 25:48, Mark Butler – 29:16, Richard Blake – 29:32, Phil Holden – 31:21, Louise Righini – 32:12, Lyndsay Darbyshire – 32:31, Steve Holt – 32:49, Lauren Hulme – 36:09, Kathryn Berry – 36:30, Ann Butler – 37:59, Julie Riddle – 38:06, Julie Morrison – 38:37, David Morrison – 38:38, Cheryl Dunleavy – 42:03, Tony Fulop – 45:02.

DOUBLE FUN FOR XC TEAM

It was a busy weekend for Burnden as a double set of Cross Country races kicked off. Saturday saw the South East Lancs league held at Heaton Park where the ladies brought Vet category prizes home as well as a 2nd place Vet 50+ Team position. The men did well too – bringing great times and a 3rd place Vet 60+ position.

Gwen Kinloch – 1st V65 in 36:44, Mumtaz Patel – 36:50 – 1st V50, Verity Harrison – 37:48, Jane Forrest – 3rd V60 – 41:42, Kathryn Baron – 43:23.

Michael Kermode – 40:19, Steve Horsman – 44:02, David Smith – 48:10, Andy Warburton – 54:42.

Skelmersdale brought more field fun as Beacon Park was the hotspot for the slightly gentler Sunday league. No times recorded but here is who took on the challenge. Gillian McGowan, Katie Walsh, Nia Bell, Paul Duke, Lyall Mew, Andy Warburton and Michael Kermode.

NORMAN SOLDIERS ON

Andy Norman returned to Coventry this weekend to once again test his boundaries of distance at Escape from Meridan. He clocked up an incredible 55.36 miles – 2 miles further than in 2024.

The immense challenge is a 24 hour timed test to get as far away from Meridan as possible. Starting at midnight and hoping to get closer to Bolton, Andy and three mates did a stupendous job as they called it a day having past the 53 mile mark in 13 hours 22 minutes.