LONDON CALLING FOR BURNDEN 5!

Burnden Road Runners qualified for two entries to the iconic London Marathon this year and the lucky pair were Natasha Clarke, fundraising for Beat Eating Disorders, and Dean Covill. Also joining the famous course was Carolyn Edwards, fundraising for Riding for the Disabled, Andrew Norman and Shirley Staveley.

The bucket list marathon is in its 45th year and has welcomed over 1.2 million finishers across its famous finish line. It is one of the ‘Big Six’ and is the Holy Grail for many UK athletes. The largely flat course is set around the River Thames, starting in Blackheath, crossing Tower Bridge and finishing on The Mall with amazing support all the way. It is full of spectacular sights and costumers with thousands of runners competing each year for a host of reasons.

Andy Norman was first to finish in an eye-watering 3:32:33. Next to cross the line was Dean Covill in 4:24:15 followed by Shirley Staveley in 4:37:45. Natasha Clarke was next in 5:26:10 and Carolyn Edwards reunited Burnden in 5:30:55

26 BURNDENERS TACKLE MANCHESTER’S 26.2

It was a roasting hot day in April and the hosepipes were spraying the roads over 36,000 runners taking on the epic Adidas Manchester Marathon.

Burnden Road Runners were ready with arguably the best support crew in the North at Mile 7 and 20, armed with jelly babies, crisps, beefy Hula Hoops and vats of water. DJs Lawrence and Jen took the mic and cheered all runners along the Sale road.

The mostly flat course, with some sneaky slopes slipped in, had a change in start and finish this year. Swapping Old Trafford Cricket Ground for Old Trafford Football Ground, the runners then pounded through Trafford, to the City Centre then on to Stretford, Altrincham, Timperley, Sale and Chorlton before finishing on Oxford Road near the University of Manchester.

The local race is famed for its support with crowds of all ages lining the streets to offer runners cheers of encouragement, motivational messages and more.

Burnden sent a terrific 26 runners to tackle the 26.2 miles – many of whom were taking on their first ever marathon.

The 26 were led home by Andrew Horrocks in an outstanding sub 3 – 2:59:48 Son Leon Horrocks followed in a speedy 3:09:54, Tom Stratton was next in 3:23:21. Then came Phillip Fryer also achieving a sub 4 in 3:39:30. First Burnden Lady was Captain Linda Doherty in 4:08:18 with second Burnden lady Gayle Gerrard crossing in 4:15:04.

Other marvellous results – Mike Caine – 3:39:58, Martin Fielding – 3:54:27, Stephen Roberts-Wardle – 4:28:51, Aaron Dennel – 4:39:10, Kimberley Lowe – 4:43:07, Ravi Patel - 4:43:09, Luisa Shield - 4:45:11, Julia Hall - 4:46:55, Francesca Caine – 4:48:19, Paul Cox – 4:49:36, Ryan Moore – 4:50:09, Richard Burnett – 5:01:18, Sarah Brown – 5:19:12, Sandra Caine – 5:27:43, Chelsea Entwistle – 5:43:25, Joanna Fielding – 5:54:58, Cherelle Giles – 5:52:08, Jen Forkin – 5:55:33, Carol Richardson – 6:20:48.

PARKRUN SHOUTOUTS

A special mention this week to Alexander Shield who set a new PB at the tough Heaton Park parkrun – crossing in 18:25. Congratulations to Carol Richardson who finished her 250th parkrun by walking Haigh Woodland in 57:53 the day before taking on Manchester Marathon.