A trio of Burnden ladies took to the Fylde coast and performed well at the Great North West Half-Marathon.

Described as a race where runners receive ‘an embrace from the elements’ as well as a race of ‘rugged determination’ and ‘spirited endurance’, the race in Blackpool is not for the fair-weather runner in February.

However, unexpectedly, last Sunday was bright and clear and looked promising for the race.

The 13.1-mile distance is well supported and Burndeners, Bernie Jones, Gillian McGowan and Tess Riley reached the end in fine style.

Jones led the pack home in an impressive 2hrs 5mins 55secs. She was followed minutes later by Riley in 2:10:53 and McGowan completed the trilogy of Burndeners in 2:54:04.

The South East Lancs Cross Country League concluded this weekend with the popular and challenging Heaton Park as its muddy venue.

Three club ladies won all of their vet categories - Lyndsay Darbyshire was first FV55 in 46:55, Gwen Kinloch first FV60 in 47:10 and Anne Ferguson first FV65 in 48:27.

Kathryn Baron finished in 54:48 and Anthony Fulop clocked 1:09:10.

The men brought some impressive times home from their longer-distance race with Keith Thomas finishing third MV65 in 53:04.

Captain Paul Duke led the team home in 44:54, followed by Gareth Doherty, in 46:42, Stephen Horsman (50:21) and Ian Pudge (53:10).

Duke said: “It was the last cross country race of the 23/24 season and a full team of Burnden men and ladies battled it out to get those important points for both the team and on an individual basis.

“Lyndsay Darbyshire, Gwen Kinloch, Anne Ferguson and Kathryn Barron helped the team gain fourth team overall, second VET 40 team and first VET 50 team.

“Myself, Gareth Doherty, Steve Horsman, Keith Thomas and Tony Fulop helped the team gain fifth team overall and fifth VET 40 and Vet 50 team.”

In parkrun last weekend, Maggie Slamin achieved fourth position in her age category, despite just recovering from illness, at the beautiful Keswick Parkrun and crossed the line in 30:59.

Marcus Chester was on top form at Bolton, achieving second overall position in 21:01.

Other results: Bolton - Michael Kermode 22:19, Andy Dunleavy 22:27, Michael Caine 23:43, Marcus Hamer 23:51, Lawrence McDonald 24:17, Martin Cullen 24:32, Rick Winnard 27:03, Dave Rushton 27:08, Tony Woodiwiss 27:18, Ravi Patel 30:08, Kathryn Berry 30:09, Teresa Riley 30:45, Nicola Halsall 31:48, John Simms 31:59, Philip Glassbrook 32:55, Paul Johnson 33:10, Sandra Caine 33:16, Jennifer Entwistle 33:28, Howard Sparke 33:49, Jordan Hulme 35:39, Andrew Parkinson 35:43, Kathryn Baron 1:05:20, Steven Walsh 1:05:24; Worsley Woods - Ivan Brown 23:43; Ormskirk - Carol Richardson 30:21, Michelle Livesey 36:44; Glossop - Ian Mann 40:16; Haigh Woodland - David Smith 24:23, Jocelyn Chadderton 32:04; Stretford - Mark Jackson 21:36; The Wammy - Simon Marland 23:42, Sue Marland 33:40; Morecambe Prom - Vicki Hamer 24:00, Sarah Watton 24:01; Peel - Suleman Badat 18:26 (ninth), Tom Stratton 21:19, Katherine Baines 24:56; Clarence - Nia Bell 33:28; Heaton Park - Adrian Ashburn 21:54, Gayle Gerrard 26:02, Steven Bate 26:52, Chris Greenall 27:20, Emma Walker 34:14; York - Joyce Tyldesley 35:40; Nobles - Luke Newell 31:47; Pennington Flash - Richard Blake 27:49.