Burnden Road Runner Michelle Carter was raring to go after competing and finishing in West Lancashire, and decided to take on Wilmslow Triathlon with more confidence.

Knocking two minutes off her swim time, Carter was a little disappointed with a shortened bike course owing to the weather but still finished in a great time of 1hr 17mins 48secs.

Wilmslow Tri is the largest sprint in Greater Manchester and is suitable for novices and seasoned triers, offering both sprint and double sprint options.

A pool-based swim gives a smooth and quick transition to the cricket pitch for the undulating cycle route after which the 6.3K run promises an attractive two-lap route on trail and road through the suburbs of Cheshire.

Elsewhere, Fleetwood was the Tri of choice for a group of Burndeners, being a popular pick for those who are after a fast sprint on quiet, traffic-free country lanes.

In its 14th year and taking triers around the attractive and pan-flat promenade, Fleetwood Tri is an ideal choice for first timers to the swim, bike, run sequence.

Burnden results: Keith Thomas 1:23:00, Marie Parkinson 1:33:06, Kath Berry 1:37:42, Ged Turner 1:38:11, Steve Holt 1:40:20.

The popular Warrington Festival of Running took place last week and, operating a ballot entry rather than paid, attracts many competitors.

Taking place in and around Warrington town centre, the flat and fast race starts and finishes at the town’s iconic Golden Gates and is advertised as ‘the world’s first free race on closed roads’.

Four Burndeners took part - two taking the 10K challenge and two the half-marathon.

Steven Snape finished the 10K route in 1:04:00 and Joyce Tyldesley crossed in 1:10:54.

Michael Kermode smashed another PB as he brought 13.1 miles home in 1:29:04 and Emma Walker represented the Burnden ladies in the Half, finishing in 2:14:10.

Regularly featuring in Runners’ World’s top 10 Trail Race List, the Tissington Trail Half-Marathon offers breathtaking views of the beautiful Derbyshire countryside and is a must for anyone who loves the trails.

Unusually featuring two editions, owing to its popularity, the race route is a point-to-point - from Parsley Hay to Ashbourne - and is traffic-free and slightly downhill all the way.

Steven Walsh flew the club flag in torrential rain, pacing a friend and finishing in a very respectable 2:01:00. Walsh credited Burnden as his training has clearly paid off.