Burnden Road Runner Steve Riddle took friend Ste Evans to compete in the Fire Fighters Duathlon, staged by Epic Events, and performed well.

The event is a unique celebration of the two sporting disciplines because of its association with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue. Known locally as ‘the start of season social race’, it invites pairs of racers to stick together throughout the run/bike/run elements.

The four-mile runs to start and finish bookend a hilly 25-mile bike distance where pairs are permitted to ‘draft’ each other.

The pair’s total finish time was 3hrs 9mins 57secs (run - 36:24/transition one - 3:54/bike - 1:48:49/transition two - 3:46/run - 37:03)

Riddle, also coach of MYC Tri, said: “The friendship and bond is formed through shared triumphs.

“The euphoria of victory, the resilience in the face of challenge and the shared experience brings athletes together, and creates long-lasting friendships.

“I was able to create one of my favourite sports moments by completing the annual Firefighters Duathlon with my event partner, Ste Evans.

“We started by running four miles towards Rivington Pike from Rivington High School and back to transition one, where we quickly changed into our cycling kit.

“We then rode 22 miles on an extremely hilly bike course, taking in Sheephouse Lane, and the dreaded Anglezarke double hill, before descending back toward transition two at Rivington High School.

“After a quick change to run shoes, we again ran four miles towards Rivington Pike again for a second and final time - and back to the finish at Rivington High School.

“A big thank you goes to Ste Evans and I am one step closer to the Ironman 70.3 Bolton 2024 in memory of Steve White (formerly of Holcombe Harriers, sadly killed cycling for his first Ironman event in 2020) and Cancer Research UK.”

Meanwhile, a septet of Burndeners, some training for the marathon distance in the coming months, took on the the daunting Trimpell 20-miler.

The Trimpell boasts a 90 per cent traffic-free route through the historic City of Lancaster and the stunning Lancashire Lune Valley countryside.

The seven brought home some shining times as they finished the epic challenge with spent legs but smiling faces.

First home was recent winner of the club’s men’s captain award, Michael Kermode, in 2:25:36, while leading lady was ladies’ captain, Linda Doherty, in 2:56:35.

Next up was Bernie Jones, packing in the miles for the Rob Burrow May Marathon, in 3:22:10.

Rounding up the seven was a quality quartet of ladies cracking it in sub 3:40:00, namely Nicola Halsall (3:25:33), Tess Riley (3:30:00), Emma Walker (3:26:05) and Sandra Caine (3:35:16).

Flying the flag for Burnden on the 10K course was Tony Fulop, crossing the line in 1:07:26.

A host of Burnden Road Runners took part in the first race of the popular Chester Triple - the 10K.

Described as ‘the ultimate running challenge’ by the organisers, the Chester Triple medal was created to tempt new runners to increase and progress through different running distances and ‘achieve something they didn’t think was possible’.

Athletes aiming to collect the fancy medal must run the MBNA Chester 10K, the Essar Chester Half Marathon and then finish either the MBNA Chester Metric or Full Marathon - either 26.2K or 26.2 miles, in October.

Starting at the famous Chester Racecourse in the beautiful and historic city, Burndeners returned some good times.

First back at the stable was Simon Entwistle - the only sub-hour finisher - in 51mins 56secs, followed by Jason Attwood (1:05:54), Shirley Robinson (1:11:39) and a trio made up of Jennifer Forkin, Jennifer Entwistle and Gillian McGowan in triplet times of 1:17:50.

Elsewhere, Yorkshire lass, Carolyn Edwards, was on home turf last weekend accompanied by fellow Burndener, Kath Baron, as they completed the Keighley 10K in respectable times of 1:06:21 and 1:00:57, respectively.

The challenging race starts and finishes in Victoria Park - following a circular route alongside the Leeds-Liverpool canal and East Riddlesden Hall and taking in the stunning Keighley Golf Club.

Funds from the race are donated to the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.

In parkrun, Mark Whittington finished in first position at the notoriously tough Bolton course in a lung-busting 19:44.

Meanwhile, John Simms completed his 25th parkrun at the same venue and was second Burndener home in 23:53. Rick Winnard who finished his 50th run in 27:06, while first lady for Burnden was Linda Doherty, in 29:17.

Other Bolton results: Marcus Hamer 24:02, Martin Cullen 24:39, Ian Pudge 25:01, Martin Archer 25:36, Gareth Doherty 26:23, Ravi Patel 27:41, Paul Johnson 28:46, Luke Newell 30:30, Philip Glassbrook 32:02, Maggie Slamin 33:00, David Allen 35:39, Sarah Jane Wells 36:40, Andrew Parkinson 37:16, Lauren Hulme 40:53.

The Watergrove reconnaissance team were over in Rochdale checking out the mud thickness, course quality and post-run brew availability in preparation for the Off-Road Championship this weekend.

Gareth Lowe clocked 27:36, followed by Steven Bate (30:12), Jenni Partington (33:10), and Jocelyn Chadderton, in 36:46. Katherine Baines and Tom Stratton took on marshalling duties to support the course runners.

Results elsewhere: Worsley Woods - Mark Jackson 22:31; Wilmslow - Sarah Watton 23:01, Jonathan Sangster 23:02; Glossop - Steven Walsh 24:29; Haigh Woodland - Andy Dunleavy 22:00, Cheryl Dunleavy 38:52; Exmouth - Simon Marland 24:51, Sue Marland 33:31; Fleetwood Promenade - Paul Drew 24:42; Peel - Richard Blake 26:01; Worden - Carol Richardson 31:58, Michelle Livesey 37:39, Sarah Brown 37:40; Pennington Flash - Steven Snape 31:50, Joyce Tyldesley 36:55; Woodbank - Nia Bell 31:51; Heaton Park - Chris Greenall 25:25, Gayle Gerrard 25:45.