The Salford 10K replaced Wilmslow this year as the March Club Championship race and it was a recipe for delight as Burnden took over the field.
The top three runners were a steaming-hot collection of speed and were led home by whippet-fast Mark Whittington in a super-swift 37:15. Next up was Men’s Captain, Gareth Doherty, in 40:39 and third home but 1st in his age category was Coach and Chair, Andy Dunleavy – 1st MV65 in 40:53.
First lady was speedy Sarah Watton in 42:26 followed by Lyndsay Darbyshire – 3rd FV55 in 45:28 and Francesca Caine in 47:53.
Burndeners at the top of the pots for their age categories were Anne Ferguson – 1st FV65 in 49:05, Shirley Staveley – 2nd FV60 in 48:10, Marcus Hamer – 3rd MV65 in 45:40.
Other delicious results –
Michael Kermode – 41:01, Stephen Thorpe – 41:02, Ravi Patel – 41:18, Ian Pudge – 42:02, Lee White – 43:09, Stephen Horsman – 43:27, Andrew Crawford – 45:03, Jonathan Sangster – 45:12, Mike Caine – 45:12, Adrian Ashburn – 46:25, David Smith – 46:32, Martin Archer – 46:59, Martin Cullen – 47:51, Colm O’Brien – 48:59, Vicki Hamer – 49:44, Paul Christie – 49:54, Linda Doherty – 51:18, Mark Butler – 52:21, Andy Warburton – 53:09, Gayle Gerrard – 53:14, Richard Blake – 53:29, Rick Winnard – 53:35, Jackie Oakes – 54:25, Julia Hall – 55:11, Emma Walker – 55:30, Bernie Jones – 55:40, Kathryn Berry – 57:16, Carolyn Edwards – 57:55, Michelle Carter – 58:02, Sandra Caine – 59:23, Philip Glassbrook – 59:43, Chelsea Entwistle – 1:00:37, Sarah Brown – 1:00:48, Nia Bell – 1:01:20, Natasha Clarke – 1:02:12, Gillian Morris – 1:06:25, Anthony Fulop – 1:08:13, Gillian McGowan- 1:15:50.
THREE GO, GO, GO AT WILMSLOW
After the eventful adventures in Wilmslow last year, it was a more sedate experience for three of our Burndeners as they took on the Half Marathon distance at the Wilmslow Festival of Running.
A mixed terrain of hills and flats were no challenge and all three finished in great times. Josh Palmer was first home in 1:53:32, Bernie Jones was next in 2:05:55 and Gillian McGowan completed the round-up in 2:58:02.
EIGHT FLYING HIGH ON THE FELLS
Multiple calves and quads were under pressure this weekend as the infamous Rivington Pike Fell Race got underway on Saturday. Short but hellish, it attracted a hardy group of Burnden runners attempting to conquer the lung-busting hills.
Paul Duke was first victorious in a super 24:00. Anne Ferguson was next to the bottom in 28:50 followed by Shirley Staveley in 29:33. Dean Covill was home in 30:02 and Colm O’Brien in 32:18. Jane Forrest crossed the line in 32:37 and Kathryn Baron found the finish in 33:50 followed by Maggie Slamin in 36:10.
Maggie Slamin and Paul Duke both shared their thoughts on the race,
Maggie said,
“A fabulous race today! Great atmosphere and glorious sunshine. Great support from the crowd lining the Rivington Pike race route. A tough route as always!”
Paul commented,
“Fantastic race, great weather, close to 500 runners, support amazing!”
ISLE OF IAN MANN!
Burnden’s Statistics Genius, Ian Mann, was on fine form as he sailed over to the Isle of Man to compete in their Running Festival for the fifth time.
Good Friday sees the start of the festival with a 10k road race starting in the evening by the harbour in Port Erin and heading up to the Promenade and then out of town before following the picturesque coastal footpath to Port St. Mary harbour and returning to Port Erin finishing near to The Bay Pub by the beach. Ian completed the 10K race in 1:17:37. On the Sunday, the action moves to the capital of Douglas with a 5K out and back along Douglas Promenade. Ian was home in 42:01. Ian also completed Nobles parkrun in 44:15 – a 5 minute PB!
A fine weekend of running achievements on the Isle of Man for our ‘Manny!’
ULTRA PAIR SMASH THE DISTANCE
Paul Willan and Alex Durkin were ready for the big miles this weekend as they both finished the incredible feat of running from Manchester to Liverpool in a race organised by GB Ultras. Paul was featured in the report recently as he shared his race journey with UK Run Chat as ‘The Accidental Runner’.
In its ninth year, the M2L Ultra is a unique 50-mile event, well supported, and following the Trans-Pennine Trail, the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey from Manchester to Liverpool. Runners start at Media City Piazza located on the Manchester Ship Canal waterfront in the heart of the city.
Paul and Alex completed the huge challenge side by side – finishing in an impressive 10:06:13.
Running in aid of Guts Charity UK, Paul summed up the race experience in his own words,
“That was the hardest event I've ever done. I'm broken! But what a fantastic event. Made even better running with Alex Durkin. The sun was out, and it was dry for the majority of the race. It only started raining with 8 miles to go. The wheels came off a little at mile 33, but we both battled through and got it done. Head down, one foot in front of the other. When your legs don't work that well, run with your heart!
Oh, and I've got no skin left on the bottom of my little toe!”
SUNNYWOOD PREP FOR WILLAN AND WALKER
Incredibly, just a week before Paul Willan’s Ultra, he and friends, including Burnden’s Emma Walker, were out on the Sunnywood Project’s 20 mile run!
Paul described the experience,
“The Sunnywood Project’s 20 Mile Village Link. Linking Peel Tower and the other hills around Bury, Holcombe, Ramsbottom and Ainsworth, it was the slowest 20 miler I’ve ever done due to the mud baths and hills and narrow trails, but that doesn’t matter! It was about spending time with great people and having a laugh! Loved it. The staff and guides were brilliant from start to finish. It started off with rain, hail and strong winds. The jacket was on then off then on again! It was an experience! The views from Peel Tower were amazing!”
BAAH-RILLIANT! FULOP IN EMMERDALE.
Tony Fullop was in soap land amid the sheep this week as he flew the flag for Burnden at the Guiseley Gallop 10K Trail Race. The race route takes runners past Emmerdale’s original Woolpack in Esholt. It is a mixed terrain of tracks, trails, woods, paths , canal towpath and road and is a two lap course. Tony crossed the line in 1:19:46.
PARKRUNS
Watergrove parkrun, Rochdale, was included as part of the Off-Road Championship by Captains Paul Duke and Tony Fulop last week – here are the amazing results in horrendous weather! Huge shout out to Sarah Watton – 1st lady and Mark Whittington – 2nd overall position!
Mark Whittington – 20:36 (2nd position), Paul Duke – 21:17 (4th position), Gareth Doherty – 21:36 (6th position), Lyall Mew – 22:10 (8th position), Steve Nolan – 22:18 (9th position), Ravi Patel – 22:35 (10th position), Jonathan Sangster – 22:51, Michael Kermode – 22:58, Ian Pudge – 23:11, Ed Ashton – 23:46, Mark Cannon – 24:00, Sarah Watton – 24:15, Stephen Horsman – 24:17, Andy Dunleavy – 24:58, Martin Archer – 25:09, David Smith – 26:01, Lyndsay Darbyshire – 26:13, Neil Counsell – 26:40, Keith Thomas – 26:50, Mark Butler – 27:03, Vicki Hamer – 27:11, Tim Taylor – 27:35, Anne Ferguson – 27:50, Melissa Husbands – 28:35, Kathryn Baron – 28:45, Lawrence McDonald – 29:14, Gareth Lowe – 30:03, Jenni Partington – 31:24, Jocelyn Chadderton – 32:01, Gillian Morris – 33:34, Kathryn Berry – 33:35, Nia Bell – 33:35, Philip Glassbrook – 33:48, Luke Newell – 34:06, Anthony Fulop – 38:53, Cheryl Dunleavy – 44:00, Gillian McGowan – 49:24, Ian Mann – 1:00:38.
OTHER PARKRUN RESULTS
SATURDAY 23RD MARCH 2024
Lister Park, Bradford (298) – Paul Johnson – 35:22
Lincoln (374) – Steven Walsh – 25:38
Bolton (238) – John Simms – 25:01, Richard Blake – 28:17, David Allen – 35:19, Sarah Jane Wells – 38:21, Andrew Parkinson – 42:17
Hilly Fields (262) – Colm O’Brien – 24:19, Jane Forrest – 27:29
Keswick (276) – Andrew Norman – 21:38
Jersey (248) – Simon Marland – 24:55, Sue Marland – 33:24
Doddington Hall (244) – Chris Greenall – 25:33
Zuiderpark, Den Haag (137) – Tom Stratton – 19:18, Katherine Baines – 23:03
Peel (513) – Mark Jackson – 21:47, Adrian Ashburn – 22:40
Worden (105) – Carol Richardson – 33:40, Sarah Brown – 41:48, Michelle Livesey – 41:49
SATURDAY 30TH MARCH 2024
Heaton Park (791) – Chris Greenall – 26:24, Gayle Gerrard – 26:40
Warrington (465) – Richard Blake – 26:44
Nobles (196) – Ian Mann – 44:15
Pennington Flash (137) – Steven Snape – 32:16, Joyce Tyldesley – 38:10
Bolton (295) – Tom Stratton – 21:19 (5th position), Michael Kermode – 23:22, Simon Entwistle – 25:40, David Smith – 25:43, Ravi Patel – 25:44, Martin Archer -25:45, Ian Pudge – 27:15, Katherine Baines – 27:20, Marcus Chester – 27:35, Bernie Jones – 28:49, Paul Johnson – 29:21, Philip Glassbrook – 31:59, Nia Bell – 32:11, John Simms – 34:16, Jennifer Entwistle – 35:43, David Allen – 36:30, Sarah Jane Wells – 36:46, Andrew Parkinson – 41:44, Kathryn Baron – 1:11:34
Lanhydrock (238) – Simon Marland – 26:47, Sue Marland – 38:50
Conwy (435) – Luke Newell – 30:55
Clitheroe Castle (153) – Andy Dunleavy – 23:47, Cheryl Dunleavy – 39:14
Conyngham Hall (141) – Steven Walsh – 27:33