Described as a race where runners receive ‘an embrace from the elements’ as well as a race of ‘rugged determination’ and ‘spirited endurance’, the Great North-West Half Marathon along the Fylde Coast in Blackpool is not for the fair-weather runner in February. However, unexpectedly, Sunday was bright and clear and looked promising for the race.
The 13.1 mile distance is supported by a great number of cheers and shouts of encouragement and our hardy Burnden ladies, Bernie Jones, Gillian McGowan and Tess Riley reached the end in super style.
Bernie led the pack home in an impressive 2:05:55. She was followed minutes later by Tess in 2:10:53 and Gillian completed the trilogy of Burndeners in 2:54:04
CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS
The South East Lancs league continued this weekend with the popular and challenging Heaton Park as its muddy venue.
The ladies’ team were on super form - finishing 4th overallteam, 2nd team in the Vet 40 category and 1st team in the Vet category over 50.
The three brilliant runners who helped Burnden to these positions won all of their Vet Categories at this race. Lyndsay Darbyshire was 1st FV55 in 46:55, Gwen Kinloch 1st FV60 in 47:10 and Anne Ferguson 1st FV65 in 48:27. Kathryn Baron finished in 54:48 and Anthony Fulop – running with the ladies’ team – finished in 1:09:10.
The men brought some impressive times home from their longer distance race with Keith Thomas finished 3rd MV65 in 53:04. Captain Paul Duke led the team home in 44:54 followed by Gareth Doherty in 46:42, Stephen Horsman in 50:21 and Ian Pudge in 53:10.
PARKRUN
Special Mentions
A notable mention this week goes to Maggie Slamin who achieved 4th position in her age category despite just recovering from illness. Maggie chose the beautiful Keswick parkrun and crossed in 30:59.
Marcus Chester was on top form at Bolton parkrun – achieving 2nd overall position in 21:01.
Other Parkrun results –
Bolton (Attendance 265) – Michael Kermode – 22:19, Andy Dunleavy – 22:27, Michael Caine – 23:43, Marcus Hamer – 23:51, Lawrence McDonald – 24:17, Martin Cullen – 24:32, Rick Winnard – 27:03, Dave Rushton – 27:08, Tony Woodiwiss – 27:18, Ravi Patel – 30:08, Kathryn Berry – 30:09, Teresa Riley – 30:45, Nicola Halsall – 31:48, John Simms – 31:59, Philip Glassbrook – 32:55, Paul Johnson – 33:10, Sandra Caine – 33:16, Jennifer Entwistle – 33:28, Howard Sparke – 33:49, Jordan Hulme – 35:39, Andrew Parkinson – 35:43, Kathryn Baron – 1:05:20, Steven Walsh – 1:05:24.
Worsley Woods (attendance 366) – Ivan Brown – 23:43
Ormskirk (Attendance 328) – Carol Richardson – 30:21, Michelle Livesey – 36:44
Glossop (Attendance 124) – Ian Mann – 40:16
Haigh Woodland (Attendance 214) – David Smith – 24:23, Jocelyn Chadderton – 32:04
Stretford (Attendance 694) – Mark Jackson – 21:36
The Wammy – Simon Marland – 23:42, Sue Marland – 33:40
Morecambe Prom (Attendance 376) – Vicki Hamer – 24:00, Sarah Watton – 24:01
Peel (Attendance 505) – Suleman Badat (9th position) – 18:26, Tom Stratton – 21:19, Katherine Baines – 24:56
Clarence (Attendance 81) – Nia Bell – 33:28
Heaton Park (attendance 838) – Adrian Ashburn – 21:54, Gayle Gerrard – 26:02, Steven Bate – 26:52, Chris Greenall – 27:20, Emma Walker – 34:14.
York (Attendance 736) – Joyce Tyldesley – 35:40
Nobles (Attendance 132) – Luke Newell – 31:47
Pennington Flash (Attendance 152) – Richard Blake – 27:49