Members of Burnden Road Runners put on their glad rags to celebrate the club’s annual presentation evening at Little Lever Cricket Club recently to honour the achievements throughout another positive year.

Complete with pasties, drinks and entertainment from local musician, Tommy Govan, the evening is a highlight in the Burnden calendar as it is a chance to recognise all those who have excelled in their running, took part in any of the club championships and reward those who keep the Road Runners ticking away in the background.

Chair Andy Dunleavy, who has led the club successfully through a challenging yet thrilling year, said: “The Burnden annual awards celebrate all our members’ achievements. There are trophies galore for cross country, trail, fell, road and track running.”

He presented the coveted Chair’s Award to Lawrence McDonald - usually an unsung hero,he does an awful lot of work for the media and communications side of Burnden Road Runners, as well as being an excellent runner.

McDonald was instrumental this year in Burnden’s successful bid to win EA North West Club of the Year and also organised a members’ trip to Lanzarote, championed mental wellbeing with ‘Run and Talk’ and kept the website and social media pages in tip-top shape. He has also supported the new starters’ group and is helping to support Bolton Wanderers in the Community with organising their brand new 10K race.

For all of these reasons, he also won this year’s Members’ Member Award - voted for by members of Burnden Road Runners.

Recently installed men’s captain, Gareth Doherty, has done a superb job in his first year and he said: “I’m really proud of what everyone achieved in 2023.

“The huge haul of trophies is a testament to how hard our members trained.

“I really enjoyed my first year as men’s captain, so thank you for making the club championship the success it was. I can’t wait to see what 2024 brings.”

Outgoing ladies’ captain, Vicki Hamer, has also done a sterling job and added: “What a fantastic year the Burnden ladies have had. With a whole variety of races competed in; from one mile to ultra-marathons and on the roads to up on the fells and through rivers, our ladies have really covered it all.

“A huge well done to all those who completed the Club Championships, Off-Road Championships, virtual championships and cross-country leagues this year.

“We have also enjoyed great turnouts and performances at the Central Lancs Grand Prix, which has enabled us to retain the ladies team trophy again, despite some tough competition from other local teams.

“Our high levels of enthusiasm and energy for a challenge, alongside a friendly and supportive community make us a force to be reckoned with.

“A special mention has to go to Jen Forkin, the well-deserved winner of the Ladies’ Captain Award this year. Her dedication to the club is clear to see through leading the beginners’ group (alongside her wing-woman Shirley Robinson) and the amazing weekly reports she produces to celebrate the achievements of our members.”

The virtual championship is a way of reaching all members of the club - whether they are near or far - and VC captain, Cheryl Dunleavy commented: “Congratulations to all who participated in the virtual championship in 2023. What fabulous achievements from all 39 members completing 5/11 challenges and receiving their wooden pin badges and digital certificates.

“Our winner, Lyall Mew, received the cheeky emoji award for first place, closely followed in second and third with Howard and Andy C.”

Super Badge winners: Elevation Eagle - Carolyn Edwards; 100 Club - Lyall Mew; Flying Feet - Michelle Carter; Pleasure Cruiser - Gillian McGowan and Carolyn Edwards; Jackpot Surprise - Gareth Doherty.

Virtual Championship winners: 1st - Lyall Mew, 2nd - Howard Sparke, 3rd - Andrew Crawford.

A special shout out went to the 11 members who completed all 11 challenges - Lyall Mew, Carol Richardson, Melissa Husbands, Gillian McGowan, Carolyn Edwards, Martin Whitehead, Tom Stratton, Linda Doherty, Sarah Brown, Ian Mann and Cheryl Dunleavy.

Credit also went to Cheryl Dunleavy and Ian Mann, who put all the work into organising a superb VC Championship.

Full list of Burnden award winners: Chair’s Award - Lawrence McDonald; Members’ Member Award - Lawrence McDonald; Men’s Captain’s Award - Michael Kermode; Ladies’ Captain’s Award - Jen Forkin; New Starters’ Award - Bernie Jones; Men’s Club Championship: Winner - Suleman Badat, second - Lee White, joint third - Andy Dunleavy and Gareth Doherty; Ladies’ Club Championship: Winner - Sarah Watton; Men’s Off-Road Championship: Winner - Gareth Doherty, second - Paul Duke, third - Andy Dunleavy; Ladies’ Off-Road Championship: Winner - Gwen Kinloch, second - Lyndsay Darbyshire, third - Anne Ferguson; Men’s Vet Champion - Lee White; Ladies’ Vet Champion - Lyndsay Darbyshire; Cross Country: Winner - Gwen Kinloch, second - Lyndsay Darbyshire, third - Anne Ferguson; Cross Country Vet category awards - Anne Ferguson (first FV65), Steve Nolan (second MV60), Gwen Kinloch (second FV60).