Burnden Road Runners took over the Bolton 5k last weekend as 85 members put their best race foot forward.

This race is Bolton United Harriers’ contribution to the Grand Prix League and is a looped two-lap course starting on the athletics track before leading runners on a fast and furious adventure using Long Lane and the heavily trodden ‘out and back’ to then finish back on the track.

A superb number of Burndeners turned out as it formed not only part of the Central Lancashire Grand Prix league but marked the first race of Burnden’s own Club Championship.

Following the race was the prizegiving for positions awarded during the Central Lancs Grand Prix and Burnden cleaned up in all sorts of categories.

For the league, each local club puts on a race and members are awarded points for bringing their members to run. Runners can gain individual points and a trophy if they complete nine of the 10 races.

There was a buzz in the Burnden ranks as runners gathered on the track before the start.

First Burndener to finish was cross-country captain, Paul Duke, in an incredible time of 17mins 58secs – a personal-best time that knocked 11 seconds from his previous 5K time.

Steve Nolan followed in an impressive 19:24 and claimed second V60, while men’s captain, Gareth Doherty, was also sub-20 in 19:57.

Mark Cannon was third V60 as he crossed the line in 20:01 and coach Andy Dunleavy was second V65 in 20:34. Chris Worthington took third V50 in 21:14 and Philip Glassbrook was the club’s third V75 in 29:00.

Special mention went to Trevor Eagle who was cheered in by the rest of the team, some of whom ran alongside him for his finish. He recently returned to running from illness, and finished the race in 47:45.

Ladies coming in the top three for Burnden were Lyndsay Darbyshire, who won her V55 age category in 21:46, followed by Francesca Caine, in 21:55, and Verity Harrison, in 21:59. Shirley Staveley was second V55 with 22:58.

Gwen Kinloch took first V60 in 22:02, Anne Ferguson was second in 23:59 and Jane Forrest finished third in that age group in 25:27.

Burnden results: Marcus Chester 20:02, Stephen Horsman 20:35, Martin Fielding 20:39, Samuel Ashton 21:19, David Smith 21:28, Edmund Ashton 21:35, Neil Counsell 21:38, Mike Caine 21:40, Andrew Crawford 21:44, Paul Willan 21:39, Adrian Ashburn 21:55, Michael Kermode 21:55, Lyall Mew 22:10, Martin Whitehead 22:09, Adam Austin 22:38, Michelle Carter 22:47, Martin Cullen 22:55, Patrick Filio 22:55, Colm O’Brien 23:00, Vicki Hamer 23:04, Gayle Gerrard 23:19, Linda O’Byrne 23:29, Paul Drew 23:37, Simon Marland 23:45, Simon Entwistle 23:48, Josh Palmer 24:08, Mark Butler 24:22, Chris Greenall 24:25, Holly Craggs 24:27, Jason Attwood 24:47, Roy Tatlock 25:10 (fastest time this year), Kathryn Berry 25:18, Melissa Husbands 25:24, Todd Cameron 25:41, Kathryn Baron 26:20, Mark Turner 26:37, Francis Mackin 26:41, Carolyn Edwards 26:40, Julia Hall 26:50, Nicola Hardy 27:03, Gillian Morris 27:19, Teresa Riley 27:41, Nia Bell 28:36, Sarah Jane Wells 28:39, Joanna Warburton 29:28, Nicola Halsall 29:37, Chelsea Entwistle 30:21, Louise Righini 30:41, Alyson Cullen 30:42, Anthony Fulop 30:56, Jen Forkin 31:18, Shirley Robinson 31:32, Sandra Caine 31:42, Lauren Hulme 31:39, Sarah Brown 31:47, Sue Blackman 32:04, Carol Richardson 32:32, Jennifer Entwistle 32:31, Ian Mann 33:08, Cheryl Dunleavy 33:51, Debra Hennessey 34:26, Michelle Livesey 34:38, Gillian McGowan 37:30, Tracy Berry 41:22.

Coach Dunleavy had a message for his team this week as the Central Lancashire Grand Prix results were announced after the Bolton 5K.

He said: “Look at these results and you will see what an outstanding club and members we have.

“Burnden runners are…win, win, win. Remember - every run counts.”

CLGP results: Senior men - 3rd Paul Duke; Male vets - 2nd M40 Gareth Lowe, 1st M45 Paul Duke, 2nd M45 Gareth Doherty, 2nd M50 Mike Caine, 2nd M55 Mark Butler, 1st M60 Steve Nolan, 2nd M60 Andy Dunleavy, 1st M65 Paul Christie, 1st M75 Philip Glassbrook; Senior women - 3rd Gwen Kinloch, 5th Lyndsay Darbyshire; Female vets - 1st F35 Vicki Hamer, 2nd F35 Michelle Carter, 2nd F40 Holly Craggs, 1st F45 Gayle Gerrard, 2nd F45 Linda O’Byrne, 1st F50 Lyndsay Darbyshire, 1st F60 Gwen Kinloch, 2nd F60 Anne Ferguson; Nine-race award - Andy Dunleavy, Gareth Lowe, Andy Warburton, Anne Ferguson, Francesca Caine.

Parkruns were a little quieter last weekend with the impending Bolton 5K, but Burnden troops were still out and about and a trilogy were completing their milestones at Bolton.

Gillian McGowan ran her 80th parkrun in 47:02, Kath Berry ran her 100th in 37:55 and Debra Hennessey her 200th in 40:48.

Gareth Lowe was looking strong on his return from injury as he was first Burndener home in 24:17 and 20th overall position, while Mark Cannon followed in 25:34.

New members also shone for Burnden as Roy Tatlock was third BRR in 27:08 and the first lady Burndener was Jocelyn Chadderton in 31:43.

Other results: Paul Johnson 29:28, Simon Irving 30:28, Teresa Riley 37:54, Storm Hunt 38:06.

Elsewhere, Mark Jackson was first Burndener at Heaton Park in 24:15 and Nia Bell wowed at Worsley Woods in 29:37.

Simon Marland and Sue Blackman added Upton Court to their parkrun pins as Marland finished in 24:42 and London Marathon training Blackman was home in 34:00.

Katherine Baines was across the line at Conyngham Hall in 34:41, while Tom Stratton was in super sixth position with 21:29.

The Entwistles were in Moss Side at Alexandra parkrun, finishing in 25:11 for Simon and 31:46 for Jennifer.

Maggie Slamin, of Burnden Road Runners, headed for a run in the sun as she challenged herself to finish the Barcelona Half Marathon this week.

Also known as the Mitja Marato de Barcelona, the half is an annual event and is the second largest running event in Barcelona next to the marathon – welcoming 21,477 runners.

It is a looped course starting and finishing near the Arc de Triomf before taking in the Placa Catalunya and the famous Ramblas.

Heading onward, the runners are taken through the modernist Eixample district and see the striking Torre Agbar before running along the beach.

Slamin finished the course in a super 2:06:16.

Closer to home, Heaton Park was the venue for race three of the South East Lancashire League and saw six members tackle the course.

Conditions were great and the ladies’ team finished fourth overall and as the first over Vet 50 team.

Lyndsay Darbyshire was first for Burnden ladies and second FV55 in 36:32, followed by Gwen Kinloch – second FV60 in 36:42. Anne Ferguson was  third position and third FV60 in 37:15 and Shirley Staveley took third FV55 in 37:37.

Two men represented Burnden who claimed first MV60 in the shape of Andy Staveley, who crossed in 42:59, before welcoming Mark Turner home in 59:55.

After three races with one to go in SE Lancs, the current league standings are out and they are looking promising for Burnden who occupy the first two runners in Vet 55 and Vet 60 for the ladies. These are respectively Lyndsay Darbyshire, Shirley Staveley, Anne Ferguson and Gwen Kinloch.

The men are just as competitive with Burnden claiming the top three places in the Vet 60 category in the form of Steve Nolan, Andy Staveley and Steve Horsman.

Burnden members were out to support Matt Smith’s annual charity run in aid of Bolton Hospice.

A favourite among members, the five-mile trail was in no doubt a challenge, although the run itself is perfect for all fitness levels – Smith’s aim being to welcome everybody and to raise funds.

Andy Dunleavy was first back to the club in a brisk 40:19, followed by Marcus Hamer in 46:10. First female for Burnden was Carolyn Edwards in 1:01:06, followed by newcomers Marcela Boden, in 1:03:27, Joanne Eddleston (1:12:32), Cheryl Dunleavy (1:14:54) and Sarah Brown (1:14:53).

Members honoured true gentleman, legend runner and longstanding Burnden Road Runner, Mel Walker, at the Tuesday Track Tornadoes session at Bolton Arena.

Andy Dunleavy had planned out an actual Strava art figure of 80 at the Track in celebration of Mel’s special day and it was followed by much cake and merriment.

Elsewhere, Jenni Partington took on a dizzying challenge this week – the Roundhay 50 mile.

Consisting of two different loops starting and finishing at St Edmund’s Church, the route contains ample checkpoints at various locations.

The first loop takes runners and walkers through Roundhay Park, follows the Wyke Beck to Temple Newsam and then goes east to join the Leeds Country Way.

The route follows the Leeds Country Way through Garforth, Barwick-in-Elmete, Thorner and Bardsey and then cuts back from Wike via Shadwell to return to the church.

The second loop goes down Gledhow Valley Woods to join the Meanwood Valley Trail.
Heading north to Alwoodley, the route then goes past the end of Eccup Reservoir, close to the filming set of Emmerdale, into Harewood Estate.

The final leg goes back through the edge of Harewood Estate to Wike and follows the same route back to Roundhay.

Partington completed this epic challenge in 16:23:00.