Oulton Park in Cheshire has been host to many motor racing events since the 1950s including the British Touring Car Championship, the British F3 and the British Superbikes Championship. This week it was the turn of the Running Grand Prix to make the track its home with six distances on offer to competitors – a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Metric Marathon (16 miles), 20 miler and the full Marathon.
Burnden sent a quartet of quick-steppers and it was a happy bunch who returned with some grand times.
Michael (Fast-mode) Kermode whizzed round the 16 mile circuit in 2:01:09 – passing two of our ladies on the Half Marathon trek who set their own records. ‘Velocity’ Verity Harrison and ‘Miles per Hour’ Melissa Husbands smashed their PBs with Verity claiming 1st FV45 in 1:47:23 and Melissa 1st FV50 in 2:01:29.
Swift-footed Suleman Badat took on the full marathon and achieved an incredible sub-3 hour with 2:58:57 – taking the 2nd MV45 category.
WHIPPET-QUICK AT WILMSLOW
Starting in the town centre of Wilmslow, the Wilmslow Festive 10K’s one lap course is perfect for fast times on scenic roads, before finishing on Mobberley Road/Sandy Lane. It is Run North-West’s ‘traditional festive curtain raiser’ – raising much-needed funds for The Christie since 2017.
First home for Burnden and smashing his PB was Andy ‘Accelerated’ Dunleavy – well under his sub-40 target in 38:51. Following Andy and also achieving great times were Lyall ‘Lightning’ Mew in 39:31, Michelle ‘Motor’ Carter in 48:33, Samuel ‘Speedy’ Ashton in 57:36 and Josh ‘Jet’ Palmer in 1:00:05.
STATESIDE SUCCESS FOR GILLIAN
Gillian McGowan’s USA adventures continued this week as she took on the Las Vegas Turkey Trot 12K on Thanksgiving Day.
Away from the famous and bright lights of Las Vegas strip, the Turkey Trot runs along an old railroad line through Lake Mead Recreation Area. From the start at Boulder City by Lake Mead, runners pass through the Six Tunnels to the overlook at Hoover Dam.
Gillian described the race as ‘amazing’ and was thankful for her first podium place as 3rd lady in her age group as well as a cheer from the crowd for coming from England! Gillian’s time was a sizzling 1:35:38.
Gillian wasn’t finished there and her American adventure took her to Los Angeles where she was able to finish her virtual challenge in style. Since September 2022 Gillian has been doing the Conqueror Route 66 Virtual Challenge of 2,280 miles and her last 2 miles were completed at the end of the actual Route 66 Trail on Santa Monica Pier. As Gillian described the moment,
“I got a few looks running up and down the crowded pier in my Burnden Road Runners vest but I loved it!”
LOUISE DASHES FOR THE CHRISTIE
In aid of their vital work, the Christie hold a run at Heaton Park each Christmas – the Christie Festive Dash 5K.
Louise Righini was the sole Burndener at the run, which consists of two loops with, in Louise’s words, ‘a not so festive hill – twice!’. No official time was recorded but Louise noted an impressive personal time of 32:52.
ROUND UP OF THE PARKRUNS
Lancing Beach Green – Mark Whittington (3rd position) – 19:13
Heaton Park – Gayle Gerrard – 25:41, Steven Bate – 25:44, Adrian Ashburn – 25:46, Chris Greenall – 25:48.
York – Teresa Riley – 26:47
Millom – Simon Marland – 23:05, Sue Marland – 32:21
Bolton – Chris Worthington (6th position) – 22:37, Andy Dunleavy – 24:54, Ian Pudge – 24:59, Andrew Crawford – 26:08, Neil Counsell – 27:57, Nicola Halsall – 29:18, Linda Doherty – 29:20, Vicki Hamer – 29:20, Gareth Doherty – 29:21, Luke Newell – 29:52, Philip Glassbrook – 31:24, Paul Johnson – 31:26, Kathryn Berry – 31:46, Louise Righini – 32:55, Jocelyn Chadderton – 33:33, Steven Snape – 34:02, Joyce Tyldesley – 37:34, Ian Mann – 38:43, Cheryl Dunleavy – 41:19
Haigh Woodland – David Smith – 23:30, Carol Richardson – 31:59, Sarah Brown – 37:31
Nant y Pandy - Tom Stratton – 20:52, Katherine Baines – 23:30
The Cinder Track, Whitby – Jenni Partington – 27:16, Gareth Lowe – 27:32
Worden – Nia Bell – 30:28