A YEAR after undergoing treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma, Burnden’s Steven Yates completed the Greater Manchester Marathon at the weekend to cap his remarkable fightback.

Yates finished the race in 4hrs 54min 39secs, running in aid of the charity Bloodwise, which raises funds to help fight all types of blood cancer.

He was followed home a few minutes later by Mark Davis who, just 12 months after joining the New Starters Group, completed his first marathon in 5:07:08.

He was inspired by his 59-year-old brother Cliff’s battle against bowel and liver cancer, raising more than £2,000 for Cancer Research UK in the process.

Emma Walker and Karen Ratcliffe also completed their first marathons.

Walker, running to raise funds for The Christie, crossed in 4:40:29, and Ratcliffe finished in 6:22:18 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Sarah Woodiwiss, who ran in aid of Clic Sargent, which helps those affected by cancer in babies and children, completed her third marathon in 4:26:43 and Ben Knight, for Cancer Research UK, crossed the line in 4:54:03.

Nine members in total took part in Manchester, Martin Whalley leading them home in 3:00:53, followed by Andrew Henderson in 3:24:28. Emma Donaldson came home in 5:36:49.

Lorraine Halwood ventured over to Leeds for her 28th marathon – the Temple Newsham Trail event – which she completed in 4:47:33.

In Italy, Dawn Evans completed the Milan Marathon in 6:02:42.

Martyn Pollitt was first M55 and 32nd overall as he led Burnden’s representation home in the demanding Darwen Heritage Half Marathon, posting a time of 1:30:27, just over seven minutes ahead of Marcus Chester, who came home in 1:37:36.

Isaline Pollitt was first F50 and 10th female finisher in 1:47:53 and Mel Walker was back in action to claim the M70 category in 1:53:56.

Other Burnden results: Mark Kenny (2:00:06), Tracy Cameron (2:37:00), Sue Blackman (2:37:55), Peter Whiteside (2:37:55).

Shirley and Andy Staveley took part in the Vitality Liverpool Half Marathon. Shirley was first F50 in 1:42:10 while Andy, continuing his comeback, crossed in 2:04:08.

George and Mark Butler travelled to Barley, north of Burnley, for the Pendle Fell Race. George raced home in 45:08 and Mark crossed in 1:01:29.

The first in this year’s Curley’s 5k series took place from Curley’s Fisheries off Chorley Old Road with 25 members taking part.

George Butler was fourth overall and third senior male in 19:00 with Paul Duke close behind in 19:39 – seventh overall and second V40 – pipping eighth-placed Marcus Taylor by just two seconds as he claimed first V45 in 19:41. Isaline Pollitt was first F50 in 24:49.

Ed Ashton was 13th overall and second V50 in 20:32, with Paula Pilling the club’s first female finisher, second F40 in 22:10. Phil Glassbrook came second V70 in 30:40.

Other category successes included Ged Turner, third V55 in 24:37, Katy Thompson, third F45 in 28:15, Bill Kelly, third V60 in 47:24, and Sarah Sutcliffe, fourth F40 in 27:02.

Other Burnden results: Adrian Merritt (21:24), Steven Bate (24:29), Vicki Hamer (25:14), Kris Worsley (26:32), Lawrence McDonald (26:40), Craig Philpot (27:43), Jeff Pendlebury (29:55), Jenna Leeks (30:34), Louise Bentley (32:35), Nia Bell (32:58), Fiona Ashton (33:03), Tracy Hindley (34:49), Susan Wood (36:11), Joanne Darby (36:11).