Run Report – 2nd April 2026

When we are getting at least 4 seasons in a day this Spring to Summer week, our Burnden runners have gone further afield to Berlin and Prague, no less.

Hamad Ali hurled himself into the heart of the Berlin Half Marathon on March 29th , giving him a finish line time of 1:44:56.

The second of our dynamic duo devoting their time to half marathons this week is Paul Cox.

Paul was proud in Prague on March 28th, as he powered through to get his spot, finishing with a time of 1:56:51. This was Paul’s 4th race (out of 6) in the super half series.

Heading back to not so sunny UK soil, Andy and Rachel Norman visited the Vale of York 10-mile course on Sunday March 29th and Paula Pilling on Saturday 28th in Grasmere for a 10k trail race.

The Vale of York was noted to be a lovely countryside course to run. Andy finished his 10 miles in 1:07:58, with Rachel following shortly after at 1:37:09. The weather was a bit chilly and windy, but thank the heavens, the rain stayed away.

Perfect running conditions, I would say!

Paula unfortunately in Grasmere did not escape the rain, however there was a definite spring in her step.

Paula got the honours of 3rd lady and 1st FV50. Paula reports this to be a lovely hilly trail race, with 4 seasons in one day, with an addition of sidewards hail at the end. A race to be recommended and organised by Wild Deer Events.

Rolling on into April 1st and Easter week, there were an array of Burnden runners completing Curley's 5k. There are no fools here, I can assure you.

Runners and their times noted below -

Paul Duke: 20:48

Steve Nolan: 20:59

Gary Avison: 21:26

Markus Whittington: 21:33

Michael Kermode: 21:39

Mark Cannon: 21:53

Paula Pilling: 22:05

Stephen Horsman: 22:13

Jake Quinn: 22:59

Martin Whitehead: 23:16

Richard Marlton: 23:25

Andrew Crawford: 23:31

Katie Walsh: 27:20

Marie Parkinson: 27:31

Colm O’Brien: 27:37

Lyndsay Darbyshire: 27:40

Jane Forrest: 27:43

Mark Butler: 27:44

Anne Ferguson: 27:58

Andy Warburton: 28:25

Rachel Norman: 28:24

Andrew Norman: 28:25

Kathryn Baron: 28:33

David Smith: 28:49

Justin Bones: 28:54

Elaine Roper: 29:04

Amy Smith: 29:04

Jessica Lee: 29:56

Ryan Moore: 30:02

Louise Bentley: 30:15

Teresa Riley: 30:18

Steve Holt: 30:18

Julia Hall: 31:19

Nia Bell: 31:28

Carol Richardson: 31:48

Jocelyn Chadderton: 32:18

Rebecca Riley: 34:40

Sarah Brown: 35:20

Joanne Eddleston: 37:51

Anthony Fulop: 39:40

Gillian McGowan: 43:22

Cheryl Dunleavy: 43:22

These runners were proudly supported by Bernie Jones (taking photos) and Diane Smith (as she names herself – Professional Race Volunteer/support technician).

A special shout out to our resident cheerleaders Cheryl and Andy Dunleavy, who have been training for their own events by completing a sMiles Mini Back Yard Smile event on Sunday 29th March around Rivington, a fabulous social event in which they were cheered on and supported by several Burnden runners, despite the torrential rain and wind. sMiles galore were achieved.

Report by Suzi Walmsley