HAIGH-HO, HAIGH-HO, IT’S OFF TO WIGAN WE GO!

Wigan Phoenix’s contribution to the CLGP is set around the grounds and outskirt roads of the beautiful Haigh Hall and is a popular mid-week evening race with some sneaky hills and fast flats.

Super Suleman Badat led Burnden home – placing 2nd MV45 in a speedy 24:10. Next was Andrew Horrocks in 25:28 and Ryan Moore in 27:29.

Placing 1st FV65 was Gwen Kinloch in 30:15 followed by Katie Walsh in 31:06 and Vicki Hamer in 31:16.

Vet Category winners in abundance as Mark Cannon was crowned 1st MV60 in 27:35 Andy Dunleavy made a splendid return to racing to win 2nd MV65 in 31:28. Finlay Coyne took 2nd MV75 in 38:18. For the ladies, Anne Ferguson took 2nd FV65 in 32:15 and Marie Parkinson claimed 2nd FV60 in 32:44.

Other Haigh-tastic results –

Gary Avison – 27:46, Ravi Patel – 28:48, Neil Counsell – 30:19, Andrew Crawford – 30:50, Patrick Filio – 31:03, Andy Norman – 31:08, Gayle Gerrard – 33:17, Linda Doherty – 34:00, Paul Cox – 34:01, Kimberley Lowe – 34:03, Clair Marland – 35:27, Jenni Partington – 35:53, Rich Burnett – 36:04, Louise Righini – 36:06, Andy Warburton – 36:23, Chris Greenall – 36:47, Kathryn Berry – 39:40, Natasha Clarke – 40:47, Gillian Morris – 41:03, Steve Holt – 41:33, Julie Riddle – 43:06, Amy Smith – 44:20, Tony Fulop – 51:50, Ian Mann – 56:31.

TOGETHER AGAIN FOR TWO LADS

Just one day later, Burnden were out again – this time traversing the hills to the Two Lads in the 5 mile race sponsored by Walsh Shoes.

This race is described as ‘short but mighty’ with tough and rugged terrain ascending to 274 metres.

First home from the lofty heights was Mark Whittington in 39:56 followed by Phil Fryer in 44:58 and Michael Kermode in 45:30.

First lady down was Verity Harrison in 49:20 trailed by Anne Ferguson in 50:17 and Lyndsay Darbyshire in 51:45.

Other top results –

Jake Quinn – 46:02, Neil Counsell – 48:16, Paul Drew – 49:22, Dean Covill – 52:14, Keith Thomas – 52:20, Tim Taylor – 53:25, Andy Warburton – 53:30, Katie Walsh – 53:37, Jane Forrest – 54:23, Colm O’Brien – 56:22, Marie Parkinson – 57:31, Elaine Roper – 58:45, Steve Holt – 1:02:32, Nia Bell – 1:05:15, Justin Bones – 1:06:04, Carol Richardson – 1:10:24, Ged Turner – 1:10:21, Julie Riddle – 1:11:41, Tony Fulop – 1:34:38.

BARON OF THE VET WINS

Rochdale Harriers put on a triple threat over a weekend – the Norden Valley 6 Mile, the Naden Valley Multi-Terrain and the Knowl Hill Fell Race, which our Kathryn Baron completed with flying Burnden colours.

Kath not only took 1st FV55 for the challenging Knowl Hill Fell in 1:16:34 but also collected 1st FV55 for the three day event.

Norden is first and is described as a ‘breathtaking (in every sense) course’. Reaching 700 feet of ascent and rewarding runners with stunning views for an arduous climb up Edenfield Road, the 6 miler then descends Ashworth Valley Road.

The Naden Valley is an undulating lapped course with a twit-twoo treat as runners passed the Three Owls Bird Sanctuary. Roughly 5.8 miles in distance, this race reaches heights of 791 feet.

Finally, the Knowl Hill Fell Race. This was the biggie as the ascent reaches 1,299 feet at the peak of Knowl Hill. The 6 miles follow alongside the Greenbooth and Naden Reservoirs before demanding a scramble on all-fours up to the moors to the Knowl Hill trig point before speeding down to the reservoirs once more, ascending once again and descending then to Doctor Dam before finishing. Kath finished the three events in a total time of 3:28:45.

JEANETTE AND JOANNE CONQUER LANCASTER

Burndeners Jeanette Robinson and Joanne Eddleston, with Jeanette’s sister Debbie, had a special reason to complete the Lancaster Half Marathon this weekend. It was Jeanette’s very first half since starting training with Burnden as a beginner and she was raising money for a local family in need. Inspired by and supporting Jeanette, her sister Debbie and Joanne were by her side throughout and the ladies conquered the course. Flat and fast, the 13.1 miles winds along the many pedestrian and cycle paths in Lancaster and travels alongside the river Lune. Joanne finished the race in 2:39:00 with Jeanette and Debbie crossing seconds later in 2:43:00.

WINDERMERE MARA FOR MACHINE MAN NORMAN

Andy Norman was at it again with his marathons – this time in the beautiful Lake District. Windermere Marathon was calling him, with its 600 metres of elevation and Andy couldn’t resist. Describing it as hilly (just a bit!) with lovely scenery, Andy finished the race in an impressive 3:37:16 before going for a well-deserved pint!

TOUR OF TAMESIDE FOR TWO

Burndeners must be competing with each other for numbers of races completed this week as two of our members took on not a 2 day or a 3 day event – but a 4-day comprising over 50km of running!

Speedy running couple Tom Stratton and Katherine Baines took on the Tour of Tameside – the iconic running festival for Tameside, Oldham and Glossop.

Exploring routes, trails and tough terrain from Thursday to Sunday, this is a long weekend away with some challenge included!

The Tour has been adapted from the original 7 day Tour founded by marathon legend Ron Hill in 1981 and is described as ‘the toughest challenge in British Athletics’.

 Thursday’s offering starts off short but testing with the X-Trail 10K through Daisy Nook and Park Bridge County Parks in Oldham.

Next comes Hell on the Fell on Friday – a 6 miler serious challenge – starting in Stalybridge then heading for the Trigg point on Copley Fell.

Third is the Hero Half Marathon along the mostly flat Longdendale Trail and finally it is the Dr Ron Hyde 7 Miler on the Sunday. This last race takes runners in and around Hyde town centre and is gentler on the quads with roads and tarmac paths.

Kath and Tom did the club proud – Kath taking 2nd FV40 in a total time of 4:37:00 and Tom achieving 8th MV45 in 3:43:14.

PARKRUN DOWN UNDER – SIMON IS ON TOP!

Having probably exhausted all of the parkruns in the UK, the Marlands took their parkrunning international!

Simon and Sue completed Heritage Park in Geeveston, Australia with Simon finishing top of the palm tree! He placed 1st in 23:35 with Sue finishing in 33:32.