A group of Burnden Road Runners escaped the wintry weather and headed for sunnier climes in Lanzarote last weekend.

In its 31st edition, the Lanzarote Marathon was attended by more than 2,800 participants of more than 60 nationalities with 15 from BRR making the trip.

The route saw runners follow coastal roads and paths covering the districts of Puerto del Carmen, San Barlotome, Arrecife and Costa Teguise.

The conditions were tough with the runners facing a head wind as they ran towards Costa Teguise from the starting points in Arrecife for the 10k and Puerto Del Carmen for the half marathon. Conditions changed frequently with the Lanzarote micro climate with heavy rain showers part way through the race.

Alex Hooton ran the full marathon and faced the tough head wind on her return into Costa Teguise. Nia Bell and Tess Riley, upon seeing the tough conditions she had just encountered, supported her in the final miles into the finish, Riley grabbing and carrying her bag and then running in together holding hands for an epic finish.

In the 10k, Joanna Warburton was the first Burndener home in 1hr 7mins 4secs. Cheryl Dunleavy followed in 1:17:43 and Ian Mann clocked 1:25:27. Trevor Eagle soared home in 1:53:54.

In the half-marathon, Jonathan Sangster and Sarah Watton finished in almost matching times of 1:37:59 and 1:37:58 - first man and first lady for Burnden. Watton had extra reasons to celebrate as she clocked in as seventh overall lady and second in her age category.

Second Burnden male was Andy Dunleavy, in 1:39:29, who took the second age category crown.

Other results: Patrick Filo 1:49:40, Lawrence McDonald 1:57:34, Martin Fielding 1:57:41, Tess Riley 2:31:33, Nia Bell 2:31:33, Gillian Morris 2:38:13, Tony Fulop 2:39:37, Sarah Brown 2:50:30.

A Burnden team were in Liverpool for what has been described as ‘the UK’s premier event’ in the cross-country calendar.

The Euro Cross Challenge event was held in Sefton Park, with runners from as far as Northern Ireland, Scotland and London.

This race incorporates the trails for the European Championships, which gives elite athletes the chance to own and wear a GB vest and the chance to represent their country.

The opportunity just to be involved in these events is not only good for the club but also for each runner representing Burnden.

Tony Fulop had the race of his life, completing the same course as last year 14 minutes quicker. He is now reaping the benefits from the hard work he puts into training and his commitment to his overall health and wellbeing.

Other placings: Men - Paul Duke (407th), Steve Nolan (479), Andy Staveley (487), Stephen Horsman (580), Keith Thomas (602).

Andy Warburton felt a twinge and decided to pull out midway through lap two of the men’s race that had 711 competitors.

In the ladies race, 424 competitors took on the mud. Lyndsay Darbyshire was leading the Burnden team through lap one before Gwen Kinloch found her rhythm, finishing just ahead. Not far behind was Shirley Staveley, while Anne Ferguson was dominant as ever for second in her age category and Francesca Caine, who has had some time off from running to focus on her studies, completed the Burnden contingent.

Placings: Ladies - Gwen Kinloch (204th), Lyndsay Darbyshire (213), Shirley Staveley (228), Anne Ferguson (277), Francesca Caine (328).

Six Burndeners swapped a freezing Bolton for an equally chilly Blackburn last Sunday as they competed in the Blackburn 10K at Ewood Park.

Michael Kermode was first man home in 43:10, followed by first lady, and first in her age category, Gwen Kinloch, in 44:18. Richard Blake, in his first race this year, cracked the sub-hour in 55:40, Andy Warburton finished in 59:23, Bernie Jones crossed in 59:56, and Gillian McGowan reunited the Burnden crew in 1:11:23

Parkrun results: Heaton Park - Gayle Gerrard 25:43, Chris Greenall 25:55; Erddig - Simon Marland 25:07, Sue Marland 34:43; Peel - Mark Jackson 21:42, Adrian Ashburn 22:22, Carol Richardson 29:50; Pavillion Gardens - Gareth Doherty 21:30 (10th); Clarence - Katherine Baines 23:37, Mark Charlton 29:19, Luke Newell 31:26.