RED ROSE RUNNERS

Cross Country Captain, Paul Duke, led his team this weekend as the first race of the Red Rose League kicked off at Leigh – starting an autumn filled with mud, grass and smiles for Burnden members.

Ladies ran a single lap 5K - bringing two 1st along with a 2nd and 3rd Vet category win.

Gwen Kinloch was 1st home and 1st V65 in 23:22. Lyndsay Darbyshire followed in 24:39 – securing a 1st place V55. Anne Ferguson brought home the 2nd place V65 in 25:29 and Elaine Roper claimed 3rd V65 in 28:04.

Other results for the Ladies’ Team – Verity Harrison – 25:31, Jane Forrest – 27:03, Kathryn Baron – 27:10.

Michael Kermode led the men home from the 2-lap 10K, which brought 2 more Vet wins. Michael crossed in 39:23 with Steve Nolan next in 41:12 and crowned 1st V65. Marcus Hamer took 3rd V65 in 47:45.

Following were Paul Duke - 42:14, Ryan Moore – 44:45, Steve Horsman – 45:24, Gareth Lowe – 46:27, David Smith – 48:51, Andy Warburton – 55:30.

ALL THE WAY FROM A-Z

Parkrun tourist King and Queen, Simon and Sue Marland, achieved the coveted goal of the Alphabet Challenge this year as they finally ticked off Z after 42 weeks!

Between them, Simon and Sue have clocked up over 600 parkruns and this year decided to complete the Alphabet challenge. This entailed visiting a parkrun beginning with each letter of the alphabet from Bolton for B to Worsley Woods for W and 24 more. A visit to Poland’s Zamek w Malborku, site of the world’s biggest castle gave them their Z and the challenge is complete! Simon crossed the Z line in 23:11 and waited for Sue who crossed in 33:21. What next for Burnden’s parkrun couple??!

BATE BAKES IN PALMA

Just the one Burndener caught some Palma sun this autumn as the weather in Bolton turned decidedly wet and windy.

Steven Bate escaped to Majorca to compete in the Palma 10K, which is part of a group of scenic distance races in the town. Spectacular views are guaranteed as the route winds along the seaside promenade and through the old town. Steven crossed the sunshine line in 1:00:35.

MCR HALF RETURNS

The pancake-flat race was back to lead running hopefuls through Stretford, Altrincham and Sale. It is one of the best supported and its atmosphere is famously friendly.

Burnden’s reps this year were led home by Gareth Doherty in 1:30:16 and first lady Francesca Caine in 1:38:39. Other results – Martin Fielding – 1:30:36, Mike Caine – 1:31:46, Linda Doherty – 1:48:02, Gregg Beardwell – 1:51:58, Rich Burnett in 1:54:50 (PB by 5 minutes), Kelly Johnson-Owen – 2:13:44, Sandra Caine – 2:15:05, Emma Walker in 2:18:06, Rachel Mitchell-Denson – 2:25:17, Amy Smith – 2:28:59, Joanna Fielding – 2:34:20, Natasha Clarke – 2:36:13, Todd Cameron – 2:40:31, Tony Fulop – 3:01:09, Diane Smith – 3:03:16

HYROX CAINES

Mother and daughter duo, Sandra and Francesca Caine took on the Hyrox Sim for JFair Health this week along with friends Maya and Lucy.

Paired up with Lucy for the brutal endurance challenge, Francesca completed the rounds in 1 hour 13 minutes with mum, Sandra, and Maya finished in 1 hour 22 minutes.

TRAFFORD 10K – PBS UNLOCKED!

A trio of Burndeners visited Dunham Massey to try out the peaceful country route of the Trafford 10K and brought some excellent times home. Jessica Lee was on fire as she stormed around the course in 41:41 – a new PB! Justin Bones also scored a new PB in 55:38 and Hamad Ali supported as a pacer for 70 minutes.