The New Beginners of Burnden had lots to celebrate amid great support this week as they headed to Peel Parkrun at the conclusion of their ‘Couch to 5k’ course.

Led by Jen Entwistle and Sarah Brown, and supported regularly by Paul Willan, Mark Turner, Chelsea Entwistle and Phil Glassbrook, the courageous contingent have completed 10 weekly sessions - gradually running longer and longer until they could hit the 5k distance.

The pancake-flat Peel Parkrun, in Salford, with its gentle undulations is a perfect first parkrun and Rebecca Riley, Howard Entwistle, Suzanne Walmsley and Faith Willan represented the Beginners group there on Saturday morning with fantastic support from club members.

Burnden results: Katie Walsh 27mins 12secs, Nia Bell 29:16, Andrew Parkinson 31:25, Rebecca Riley 34:07, Mark Turner 34:08, Cheryl Dunleavy 35:12, Gillian McGowan 40:58, Faith Willan 40:59, Paul Willan 40:59, Howard Entwistle 47:29, Chelsea Entwistle 47:30, Sarah Brown 47:30, Suzanne Walmsley 52:27, Jennifer Entwistle 52:27.

A good representation of runners from the club took on one of the last Central Lancs Grand Prix races as they assembled at the Last Drop Village 5K race on Sunday.

The course, organised by fellow local running club, North Bolton Runners, based in Bromley Cross, began at the Last Drop Village Spa and Hotel and was pretty tough with steep inclines and cold weather.

Men’s Captain, Gareth Doherty, was first home in 22:41 - first in a trilogy of sub-25s with Michael Kermode (23:07) and Andy Crawford (24:37). Paul Christie collected 1st MV70 in 29:45,

Vicki Hamer led the ladies as first FV35 in 26:04, with Gwen Kinloch first FV60, in 26:50, and Anne Ferguson first FV65, in 28:41.

Other results: Ivan Brown 27:33, Martin Archer 27:54, Linda Doherty 28:52, Katie Walsh 28:58, Andy Warburton 29:14, Kathryn Baron 29:42, Bernie Jones 30:42, Louise Righini 31:45, Gayle Gerrard 33:30, Sarah Brown 34:00, Jordan Hulme 35:09, Emma Walker 37:12, Tony Fulop 41:38.

Andy Norman is no stranger to long-distance running, but he pushed the boundaries last week as he clocked up an astounding 53 miles - and was unbelievably disappointed he had not done more.

The monstrous run is titled Escape from Meridan and is a 24-hour challenge to get as far away from Meridan, near Coventry, as possible.

Starting at midnight and hoping to get closer to Bolton, Norman and his pal did a sterling job as they called it a day (night) at an incredible 53 miles.

Calling it at Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Norman described his legs as feeling ‘interesting’ as the pair enjoyed a well-deserved rest.

The Morecambe races are a fun, flat flit out and back along the promenade and offer a variety of distances through the year.

The ‘Marvellous Marlands’ from Burnden were freezing but fabulous as Simon completed 10 miles in 1:17:28 and Sue finished 10K in 1:10:53.