WHINLATTER PARKRUN – DONE!

It was the annual trip away to Keswick for around 30 Burndeners this weekend and, among some beautiful scenic walks and runs, a large number finally completed the infamous but stunning Whinlatter Forest parkrun course.

Boasting 200 metres of elevation and a thick blanket of fir trees, it offers a rare feast for the eyes once the summit is reached but what an effort to get the reward!

The start of the course is up, up and more up and, though there are some very runnable bits for all abilities as the route progresses, that beginning is a calf killer.

The Race Director’s briefing was very informative, albeit terrifying in its description of the hills, and the marshalls were super supportive of all runners and walkers.

Whinlatter has been on the Keswick trip bucket list for a couple of years – the first year having been cancelled due to snow and last year’s cancelled because of a car show. So it was with great excitement and trepidation in equal measure that runners took on the course which is rumoured to be among the hardest in the UK and in the world!

Here are the results!

Gareth Doherty – 24:32, Mark Cannon – 27:10, Andrew Norman – 28:36, Neil Counsell – 29:43, Lawrence McDonald – 31:11, Linda Doherty – 33:14, Katie Walsh – 34:58, Jenni Partington – 36:18, Kathryn Baron – 36:53, Rachel Norman – 37:32, Gareth Lowe – 40:18, Jennifer Forkin – 49:04, Cheryl Dunleavy – 49:04, Shirley Robinson – 1:00:58, Sarah Brown – 1:01:40, Ian Mann – 1:01:42.

2 UP FOR RIDDLE AND PAL

The Fire Fighters Duathlon, staged by Epic Events, is a celebration of the two sporting disciplines and named for its association with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue. Known locally as ‘the start of season social race’, it invites pairs of racers to stick together throughout the run/bike/run elements. The 4 mile Rivington Pike runs to start and finish bookend a very hilly 22-mile bike distance, which includes Sheephouse Lane and Anglezarke double hill.

Steve Riddle took along his very good friend, Ste Evans to compete again for 2025 and, despite a very bad fall for Ste, finished with great times as listed below. Steve has paid credit to his friend for his extreme courage and determination for finishing the event.

Run 1 Time – 37:04, Bike time – 1:36:05, Run 2 – 47:34.

ULTRA LOOPS

Ravi Patel and Kimberley Lowe were loop the loop after their dizzy efforts at Heaton Park. The Ultra Loop is a 5K loop around the park and runners compete to complete as many laps as possible within 8 hours.

Kimberley completed 55K (11 laps) in 6:27:09 moving time (07:36:35 chip) and came 78th place out of 294 runners

Ravi completed 70K (14 laps) in 6:58:50 moving time (07:15:09) and came 9th.

FOUR LINK UP FOR SUNNYWOOD

Connecting Peel Tower and other hills around Bury, Holcombe, Ramsbottom and Ainsworth, the Sunnywood Project’s Village Link is a tough 20.8 mile relentless trail run full of challenges. Featuring hills, woodland, hills, loose rocks, fields, muddy boggy paths, narrow trails and, yes, more hills, the course is unmarked and unmarshalled meaning runners must rely on a guide or their own map reading skills.

No times were recorded but finishing the course for Burnden were Justin Bones, David Morris, Paul Willan and Emma Walker.

SPECIAL PARKRUN MENTIONS

Shout outs this week to birthday boy Steven Walsh who celebrated his big 60th with a visit to London and Bushy parkrun. Steven crossed the line with his birthday balloon, sash and tiara in 30:24.

Congratulations to Sue Marland who completed her 400th parkrun with husband Simon at Haverfordwest parkrun. Sue crossed in 35:49 following Simon’s 24:03.

Two Burndeners took 1st and 2nd lady positions at the tough Bolton parkrun. Verity Harrison was home in 26:52 and Vicki Hamer in 27:10.

Tom Stratton was on top form at Amager Strandpark – finishing in 2nd overall position with 21:06.