Burnden Road Runners have expanded into the world of triathlon with the introduction of the ‘Burnden Tri’ team.

Often a popular challenge for members, Burnden athletes can now enter events under ‘Burnden Tri’ which is affiliated and official with new kit set to make its debut at Ironman 70.3.

Ironman Mike Caine is the new Tri captain - a man who is hugely experienced in the world of triathlon and, with his knowledge and expertise in the three disciplines of running, swimming and cycling, is well on his way to making a positive splash in the club.

Following the creation of the club’s new triathlon section, the last two weekends have seen an impressive turnout.

On May 18, Josh Palmer and Michelle Carter completed the Outlaw Half Iron Distance event (1.2-mile open-water swim, 56-mile bike, half-marathon run) as a relay team in an excellent 3hrs 29mins time, showing outstanding teamwork.

At the same event, Lyall Mew completed the Sprint Triathlon (750m open-water swim, 20k bike, 5k run) in 1:13:46.

The following day, it was a warm one at the Southport and St Annes Triathlons.

Sarah Woodiwiss completed her first standard-distance event at Southport (1500m open-water swim, 40k bike ride, 10k run) in an excellent time of 3:37:32.

Five members completed the St Anne’s Sprint Triathlon (400m pool swim, 20k bike, 5k run) - Mike Caine (1:12:59), Gareth Doherty (1:13:04), Francesca Caine (1:23:57), Marie Parkinson (1:25:15), Ged Turner (1:28:57).

Last Sunday saw a turn towards duathlon with the long-standing Ian Hesketh Memorial Duathlon event in the centre of Rivington.

This is a tough run (5k), bike ride (20k), run (5k) race on the trails and undulating roads around Rivington and Burnden Tri had 10 individuals and one relay team taking part.

Results: Gareth Doherty 1:29:13, Steven Horsman 1:34:19, Mike Caine 1:36:10, Steve Walton 1:38:26, Martin Cullen 1:45:11, Kath and Andy Berry 1:49:26, Francesca Caine 1:59:48, Todd Cameron 2:10:29, Gillian McGowan 2:28:35, Tess Riley 2:33:30, Diane Smith 2:37:05.

Last Monday saw Rivington swamped with Burndeners as the usual training night was swapped for a mile challenge through the woods.

This challenge formed part of both the Club Championship and the Virtual Challenge Championship and welcomed both old and new members to join together.

Runners were set off in two waves, split alphabetically by surname, and cheered home after the one-lap loop. Chair Andy Dunleavy and tech guru, Lawrence McDonald, managed the timing and members not running were on hand to marshal.

New members’ results: Emma Beasley (first lady) 6:36, Calum McDonald 6:38, Marie Parkinson 7:22, Katie Walsh 7:59, Finlay Coyne 8:36, Kate Davies 9:37, Lyndsey Berrisford 10:16, Suzanne Walmsley 14:59.

Making his mark and finishing ahead of the waves was Mark Whittington, in 5:07, with Paul Duke next in 5:44 and Andy Crawford finishing in 6:00.

Other results: Michael Kermode 6:03, Gareth Doherty 6:03, Andrew Norman 6:22, Steve Nolan 6:25, Adrian Ashburn 6:41, Paul Willan 6:41, Martin Cullen 6:47, Marcus Hamer 6:49, Mike Caine 6:51, Vicki Hamer 6:52, David Smith 7:00, Colm O’Brien 7:06, Steven Walsh 7:15, Melissa Husbands 7:35, Kathryn Baron 7:44, Ged Turner 7:50, Jenni Partington 7:52, Andy Warburton 8:07, Louise Righini 8:21, Julia Hall 8:23, Emma Walker 8:38, Nicola Halsall 8:47, Natasha Clarke 8:49, Philip Glassbrook 8:52, Sarah Brown 8:55, Kathryn Berry 8:59, Jocelyn Chadderton 9:07, Nia Bell 9:08, Carol Richardson 9:30, Linda Doherty 9:37, Sandra Caine 9:39, Jen Forkin 9:46, Jennifer Entwistle 9:53, Shirley Robinson 10:19, Anthony Fulop 10:23, Ian Mann 10:30, Cheryl Dunleavy 11:36, Gillian McGowan 13:45.

The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run brings tens of thousands to running in what is described as ‘the original and best-loved running event’ for its start to finish Mancunian party atmosphere.

Centrally located in the city, the half-marathon and 10k races take runners around the city’s iconic landmarks including the two football stadiums of Old Trafford and the Etihad.

Burnden runners were many in number this year, with Katherine Baines and Tom Stratton racing for MMU’s Team Orange, Louise Righini and Megan Lord running to support friends and, in her very first half-marathon, Natasha Clarke who was running for charity Beat and fundraising with her sister, Sian who ran Manchester Marathon earlier this year. Together the sisters have raised more than £1,300 for the eating disorder charity.

Burnden results: Half-marathon - Michael Kermode 1:31:30, Dean Covill 1:44:55, Linda Doherty 1:49:41, Jessica Lee 1:53:28, Steven Walsh 1:53:52 (PB), Nicola Halsall 2:07:14 (PB), Natasha Clarke 2:12:44 (PB); 10k - Tom Stratton 39:23, Katherine Baines 47:52, Gayle Gerrard 48:20, Louise Righini 56:56 (PB), Katie Walsh 58:01 (PB), Lisa Berry 1:00:02, Carol Richardson 1:02:16, Lyndsey Berrisford 1:11:43, Joyce Tyldesley 1:13:5, Gillian McGowan 1:18:50, Megan Lord 1:21:33, Sarah Jayne Wells 1:37:20.

Andy Norman and his wife, Rachel, were up in Edinburgh for Scotland’s biggest running festival - finishing the marathon in 4:44:01 and 4:44:02, respectively.

Wet, hot then wetter weather made for some challenging conditions but the stunning scenery, a great course taking them along the Royal Mile and past the iconic castle, plus the fantastic atmosphere produced by 16,000 athletes and supporters, made it a good run for the Normans.

At the Pilling 10K. Tony Fulop finished the fast and flat two-lapped course around the village in a time of 1:12:17.