BURNDEN Road Runners have been out in force this week testing themselves on different terrains, writes Jen Forkin.

The first Sunday Cross Country for February but the final one of the season took place in Croxteth in Liverpool. Conditions were excellent for fast running and it was a relaxed and friendly environment as runners gathered in the large field.

The men and the ladies ran together around the 5.5 mile long course. No times were recorded but Shirley Staveley was 25th followed by captain Paul Duke who was 35th, guiding the rest of his team home that included Steve Nolan (43rd), Andy Staveley (68th), and Tony Fulop (166th).

Burnden’s sole representative at the 12-mile Windy Hill Fell Race was Ian Pudge – a seasoned Cross Country runner trying something a bit different. The enviable HQ of the race is 450-year-old The Rams Head Inn, which boasts stunning moorland views and a roaring fire.

Starting from the inn, runners stride down a fast slope towards Piethorne Reservoir then head towards Hollingworth Lake before turning back at Rakewood. Onto Lydgate then a climb to Blackstone Edge, racers then follow the Pennine way to the layby near the Windy Hill Mast before returning to Piethorne and climbing back up to the welcome sight of the inn. Incredible, Ian returned to the inn in position 95 and with a time of 1hr 59mins 42secs – a super sub-2 hour for such a distance!

Six Burnden stalwarts took on the Anglezarke Amble and it had its fair share of drama with one getting lost and another taking a tumble.

Gillian McGowan, Sarah McConnell, Tess Riley and Nia Bell took on the tough 17-miler full of deep mud, gusty winds and big hills. Unfortunately seasoned triathlete, Gillian, went topsy turvy down the steep Mast hill and pulled out after nine miles (completed in 3 hours 35 minutes). Nia, Tess and Sarah completed the 17 in 7 hours 9 minutes.

Ged and Jenni ran the whole 24-mile route, which led from Rivington Hall, up the Pike, across to the Mast and continued to Turton Moors, Belmont and Tockholes.

Sheer resilience led the group up Great Hill before descending to White Coppice, round Anglezarke Reservoir and back to Rivington Tea Rooms.

Saturday morning fun awaited Burnden at various parkruns across the land. Here’s how the team did this week –

Burnden took over Bolton this week as a promotion for the upcoming Trotters Trail Race on Sunday, March 5.

Just one runner in the top 10 this week with Mark Cannon eighth and fifth male with 21:48 while Katherine Baines was first Burnden lady home in 24:04 and claimed 2nd overall female. Anne Ferguson was 3rd overall lady in 25:11.

Other results - Andrew Crawford – 23:09, Marcus Hamer – 23:21, Chris Worthington – 23:27, David Smith – 23:31, Andy Dunleavy – 23:49, Neil Counsell – 24:00, Martin Cullen – 24:14, Gareth Doherty – 25:58, Gareth Lowe – 25:59, Mark Jackson – 26:35, Kathryn Berry – 26:57, Melissa Husbands – 27:07, Josh Palmer – 27:57, Linda O’Byrne – 29:32, Mark Turner – 30:05, Paul Johnson – 30:37, Philip Glassbrook – 30:51, Lyall Mew – 32:03, Sandra Caine – 32:14, Alyson Cullen – 33:54, Sarah Brown – 33:57, Jennifer Entwistle – 34:32, Lauren Hulme – 36:34, Debra Hennessey – 38:15,

Elsewhere – Heaton Park – Gayle Gerrard – 23:39, Steven Bate – 24:33; Ormskirk – Francesca Caine – 23:44; Croxteth Hall – Shirley Staveley – 28:19; Rutland Water – Simon Marland – 23:26, Sue Blackman – 32:16; Stretford – Adrian Ashburn – 22:15; Alexandra parkrun, Moss Side – Lee White – 18:52; Peel – Carol Richardson – 33:23, Michelle Livesey – 37:21; Roberts Park – Carolyn Edwards – 27:42

* Burnden Road Runners is a super friendly and inclusive group with lots to offer. Love was in the air at Bolton Arena as Valentine’s Day saw our Tuesday Track Tornadoes fall in love with loops and efforts. Sunday saw a brilliant turnout for the sMilers as they ran from Leverhulme Park to Elton Reservoir and back as a muster run.

For more information, check out www.burndenroadrunners.co.uk