LOFTY HEIGHTS FOR BURNDEN AT BOLTON 10K

It was a special Sunday for Burnden this week as many members were involved in marshalling, supporting or running the Bolton Community 10K – sometimes all 3 in the case of the Burnden Pacer Team!

After many months of meticulous planning and preparation by Race Directors Lawrence McDonald and Alyson Cullen, the race in collaboration with Bolton Wanderers in the Community was ready to go. In its second year, the race is truly a community event – bringing together a 500 metre run, a 2K and a 10K , with walkers welcome, so that all ages and abilities could get involved. The race start was different this year – starting on De Havilland Way for all three versions – and taking runners and walkers as far as Retreat restaurant and back for the 10K course. Competitors were led out by Burnden cyclists, Mike Caine and Andrew Berry, who stayed with the front man and front lady for the duration of the 10K race.

A celebration finish line just before the stadium entrance before collecting their medals and sweets pitch-side resulted in a spectacular end to the race for finishers and Lofty the Lion was happy to have lots of pictures taken as he bounded around.

Burnden brought some great times home and it was Suleman Badat who was first to finish in 38:18 – claiming 3rd MV40.

Next in was Andrew Horrocks seconds later in 38:30 and leading the top trio home was Michael Kermode in 40:05. Fourth home Lee White took 3rd MV50 in 40:17 and fifth place Steve Nolan was 1st MV60 in 41:21. Vet Cat winners kept coming as Ed Ashton claimed 3rd MV60 in 43:45 and Paul Christie was named 2nd MV70+ in 49:40.

First Burnden lady home was Vicki Hamer in 48:01 followed by Emma Beasley in 50:17 and Jenni Partington in 54:18.

Special mention to Burnden members Rebecca Riley and Jeanette Robinson who completed Burnden’s Couch to 5K group followed by our 10 Steps to 10K group and finished the 10K in 1:10:22 and 1:11:22 respectively. Rebecca Fisher and Michelle Kerr completed the 10 Steps course and finished the race in 1:14:26 and 1:18:42 respectively.

Other results – Stephen Horsman – 44:30, Steven Walton – 44:56, Gareth Doherty – 44:57 (Pacer), Nathan Platt – 45:04 (PB), Alistair Marland – 46:38, Simon Marland – 47:22, Gregg Beardwell – 47:31, Dean Covill – 47:38, Gareth Lowe – 47:51, Jake Quinn – 48:13, Martin Whitehead – 49:51 (Pacer), Tim Taylor – 50:58, Francis Mackin – 51:03, Aaron Dennel – 53:05, Clair Marland – 53:37, Lyall Mew – 54:07, Paul Johnson – 54:13, Marcus Hamer – 55:14, Andrew Norman – 55:17 (Pacer), Peter Wood – 55:34, Richard Blake – 55:43, Rick Winnard – 57:34, Lisa Berry – 58:00, Shirley Staveley – 58:40, Sarah Walton – 58:58, Natasha Clarke – 1:03:00, David Allen – 1:03:19, Linda Coffey – 1:04:39, Linda Doherty – 1:05:12 (Pacer), Luke Newell – 1:06:09, Josh Palmer – 1:06:52, Michelle Carter – 1:06:53, Susan Wood – 1:08:26, Debra Hennessey – 1:08:34, Sue Marland – 1:09:31, Sandra Caine – 1:10:13 (Pacer), Nicola Ingle – 1:11:07, Jitendra Patel – 1:11:28, Carol Richardson – 1:13:45 (Pacer), Jennifer Entwistle – 1:19:00 (Pacer), Ian Mann – 1:26:00, Suzanne Walmsley – 2:01:51.

SOLO KEITH’S WARDLE CHALLENGE

A solitary member flew the flag for the Club at the tough Wardle Skyline Fell Race. Keith Thomas is no stranger to taxing routes, hills and cross country so was in his element at Rochdale Harriers’ challenging race.

The route is a circuit of Watergrove Reservoir and includes elevation reaching 381 metres via Brown Wardle, Middle Hill, Rough Hill and Crook Hill.

Keith finished the tough 7 mile fell in an impressive 1:13:42.

ANNE’S SUPER 10

The picturesque route of the Rivington 10 Mile is a stunning but challenging undertaking. Leading runners from the Bowling Green by the Upper Rivington Reservoir, it is a carefully mapped out circular trail around the woodland and fells of the Lancashire beauty spot. Travelling up Knowsley Lane and past Anglezarke Reservoir, runners are rewarded by the spectacular views around White Coppice and reach elevation heights of 1,048 feet at the summit of Great Hill before circling back around Wheelton Plantation.

Just the one Burndener competed this year with the date clashing against the Bolton 10K. Power Legs Anne Ferguson conquered the infamous trail race in a super 1:41:07.

MATT’S BACK IN DUATHLON MODE

Burnden member and qualified Triathlon and Endurance Coach, Matt Dewhurst, is a regular front runner at the races but this week saw him back in the saddle as well as his shoes for Duathlon season.

With a desire to race on a circuit this year, Oulton Park was Matt’s choice where good weather promised to aid a good performance.

The first race was a mixture of ups, downs and turns and Matt ran well with a 3.3p/km average – finishing 4.3 km in 15:20. The bike saw Matt ‘focus on speed in the corners and power on the straights’ into 2nd place with a 40kph average – 21.4km in 32:18. . Run 2 saw Matt power into 4th position and finish 4.3km in 15:20 with an overall time of 1:04:48.