BURNDEN’S Marcus Taylor was in contention for a top-10 finish for a major part of a rain-soaked Bolton Hill Marathon, eventually finishing 14th overall and second V45 in 3hrs 41mins 45secs.

Torrential rain at the start added another tough challenge for competitors, who were already being fully tested by the 3,700 feet of ascent up to Winter Hill, across to Rivington and White Coppice, before returning via the mast and Barrow Bridge back to the start/finish line in Moss Bank Park.

Three members won their categories. Lyndsay Darbyshire was first F45 and third female in 4:14:47.

Anne Ferguson claimed first F55 with her time of 4:15:37 and Peter Whiteside took the V65 prize in 6:19:07.

Burnden made it a one-two-three in the F55 category with Diane Smith (7:49:50) and Gillian McGowan (7:49:51) second and third to add to Anne’s success.

Lorraine Halwood completed her 30th marathon in 5:23:46, while Mark Jackson turned in an excellent run on his first to post a terrific time of 4:44:06.

Other results: Jackie Oakes (5:23:46), Iain Conner (5:40:29), Karen Taylor (5:48:14), Maria Parkinson (6:17:25).

The day after, the club claimed a host of category prizes in the Bolton Hill Half Marathon.

Lesley Fisher was first F55 and second lady overall in 1:55:30 – one of only 23 runners to break two hours.

Julie Newton was first F50 with 2:18:05 and Phil Glassbrook first V70 in 2:23:19.

Linda Haines was second F55 in 2:34:36 and Jeff Pendlebury claimed third V55 in 2:21:54.

In the F50 category, Tracy Cameron (3:21:24) was second and Dawn Evans (3:21:59) third.

Other results: Mark Kenny (2:21:00), Emma Walker (2:26:26), Alec Cottrill (2:36:21), Sally Cottrill (2:36:21), Louise Fox (2:39:42), Karen Ratcliffe (3:41:12).

Liz McLellan won the Edgworth 10K ladies race in a terrific time of 45:17 to add to her multi-discipline successes of the year.

She was one of five members to tackle the reservoir challenge. Kris Worsley was next in 53:46, followed by Andrew Hopkinson (54:53), Craig Philpot (55:01) and James Orchard (1:02:08).

Rob Short was first home of the Burnden turnout at the 11-mile Race the Train event from Bury station to Rawtenstall.

Short was 18th overall in a time of 1:21:42. Paula Pilling was the first female Burnden runner to finish, fourth female overall and third F40 in 1:28:52. Don Nichol was first V60 in 1:36:32.

Other results: Steven Bate (1:33:33), Ben Knight (1:46:34), Sarah Sutcliffe (1:50:55), Joe Murphy (1:54:06), Sarah Woodiwiss (1:58:51), Denise Hodgkinson (2:04:12).

The harsh Welsh weather at the weekend added a further degree of difficulty to the tough challenge that is the iconic Man v Horse challenge in Llanwrtyd Wells.

The 22-mile event sees runners tackle the undulating trail course alongside horse and riders, providing a spectacular sight for the many spectators.

Keith Thomas won the M60 category in 3:52:54, while Shirley Staveley was fourth F45 in 4:26:58 and Jane Forrest was third F55 in 4:37:53. Pete Hopley posted 4:15:15 and David Aulton completed the course in 5:23:22.

Steve Nolan was first M55 and 23rd overall at the Two Lads fell race.

Paul Duke was the next member to finish, 34th overall with a time of 40:41.

Other results: Steven Bate (47:42), Ged Turner (47:48), Mark Butler (52:06), John Edge (52:47), Sally Cottrill (57:57), Alec Cottrill (58:18), Nadia Raza (58:33), Emma Walker (1:01:11), Louise Fox (1:03:32).

Isaline Kneale cemented her prowess at triathlon with another outing for Great Britain at the Herning European Triathlon Union Challenge in Denmark.

She completed the event in 6:08:48, finishing a hugely impressive 34th in the F50 age group up against the best athletes Europe has to offer.

She completed the 1.2-mile swim in 51:39, the 56-mile bike ride in 3:03:45 and the half marathon in 2:05:58.

George Butler came seventh in the under-20 age category at Leeds in the British Triathlon Standard Distance Age Group Championships.