Burnden members looking to qualify for the club’s Off-Road Championship laced up their trail shoes this week to tackle the infamous 7K ‘Race to the Summit’.

With a steep climb and unpredictable October weather, a good number from the club participated and several category winners were crowned.

Mark Whittington and Stephen Horsman, first and second Burndeners home, were both top of their Vet trees with Whittington first MV50 in an astounding 37mins 10secs and Horsman was first MV60 in an impressive 41:15. Kathryn Baron was first Burnden lady and first FV55 in 51:11 and Ed Ashton claimed third MV60 in 42:53.

A feature on the calendar in previous years, it was resurrected for 2024. Part fell, part trail and a great one for fell newbies, hopefuls start at the Summit Inn, race up to the White House pub, near Blackstone Edge, touch the pub wall then turn around and run back to the Summit.

With its proximity to Halloween, fancy dress is encouraged with prizes offered, which makes for a spectacular and spooky atmosphere.

Other results: Ian Pudge 45:27, Andy Warburton 49:52, Tim Taylor 50:21, Ged Turner 53:47, Marie Parkinson 54:53, Louise Righini 55:18, Nia Bell 1:01:08, Tony Fulop 1:17:40.

Burnden’s cross-country season for 24/25 has already started and three weeks into the new season, members have already competed in four races across three different leagues.

Kathryn Baron, Lyndsay Derbyshire, Paul Duke, Matt Dewhurst, Anne Ferguson, Jen Forkin, Verity Harrison, Stephen Horsman, Gwen Kinloch, Michael Kermode, Steve Nolan, Ian Pudge, David Smith and Shirley Staveley have all taken part.

Kermode, taking part in his first cross-country season, has continued his excellent form.

At the Red Rose League at Witton Park, in Blackburn, he was first male for Burnden, while first female was Kinloch - and the pair repeated the feat at Townley Park, Burnley.

At the South East Lancs League’s Heaton, Park event, first club male was captain Duke while Kinloch was again first female.

At the Sunday Cross-Country League, at Clarke Gardens, Liverpool, first male for Burnden was Matt Dewhurst and first female was Kathryn Baron.

The next race is tomorrow at Beacon Country Park, Skelmersdale.

Elsewhere, Lyall Mew headed over to the dark side this week as he was the sole representative for Burnden at the spooky Petzl Delamere Half Marathon.

Set around the beautiful Delamere Forest, those trees and branches take on a darker tone when all you have is a head torch.

But Lyall’s took the trail in his long strides and was out of danger in 1:48:17.

Halloween-themed races were all the rage this week and Steven Walsh took on his own scare with the Hell on the Humber challenge. The ‘HOTH’ challenges are themed throughout the year and this month’s ‘Helloween’ was a fancy-dressed series of spooky endurance races on the famous Humber Bridge between the hours of 6pm and midnight.

Runners must complete as many four-mile laps as possible across the bridge from East Yorkshire to North Lincolnshire in the time period.

Walsh achieved an impressive seven four-mile laps, adding up to a total of 28 miles. He was joint fourth out of 89 participants and was deservedly pleased as only three people went further.

David and Julie Morrison were in Eastbourne this week to each take on a separate challenge around the famous Beachy Head area.

The Beachy Head races held over a weekend give runners a choice of four distances - the marathon, half-marathon, ultra and 10K and are scenic, but challenging fell races through the South Downs National Park.

Julie opted for the 10K distance on the Saturday and finished in 1:13:00 and David completed the half-marathon on the Sunday in 2:35:00.

It may be on many runners’ bucket lists to finish a marathon that has been voted the Best British Marathon twice, and it is little surprise some award-winning races are ballot entry.

Three Burndeners ticked the item off the list this week when they completed the demanding Marathon Eyri in Wales.

The spectacular challenge encircles Yr Wyddfa - the highest peak in the country - and was conceived in 1982 as a dramatic alternative to the many races in the towns and cities.

Tom Stratton finished the distance in a breathtaking 3:40:41, followed by Katherine Baines, in 4:30:04, and Mark Jackson, in 5:53:22.