Two marathons in two weeks for Patel

She was joined at the same festival by Elaine Roper (1:55:03) and Mark Butler (1:54:03) who both took on  the half-marathon distance. 

Even further afield, Adrian Ashburn (43:34) took part in the Santa Monica 10k in America. 

Closer to home, members took part in the first races in two separate leagues.

On Saturday, the South East Lancs League started at Heaton Park with various successes throughout.

In the men's race, Steve Nolan (44:14 – second V55) and Andy Dunleavy (45:14 – first V60) were followed closely by K Thomas (45:24 – second V60).

The ladies also had similar success through Gwen Kinloch (36:03 – second V55), Lyndsay Darbyshire (36:06 – second V50) and Anne Ferguson (36:27 – first V60).

There was also two first-timers in the ladies' race for Burnden in the shape of Gillian Morris (45:50) and Cheryl Dunleavy (56:47) who both put in good performances.

Other results: Lynda O'Byrne 42:39, Liz Hopley 45:35, Pete Hopley 46:46, Andrew Duffy 47:14, Mark Cannon 49:49, Steven Bate 52:57, Ged Turner 53:38, Mark Turner (1:00:17).

Sunday saw the first race for the club in the cross country Sunday League with races based mainly around Merseyside and Cheshire.

The first race was held in tricky underfoot conditions at Beacon Fell Country Park where more than 300 competitors took part in a mixed race on a two-lap course covering nearly five miles.

Leading the team home in 40th place was captain Paul Duke, while the three other men finished within 10 places of each other – Keith Thomas (80th), Lee White (82nd) and Andy Dunleavy (90th).

The sole female runner saw Kirsty White finish in a strong 28th position in the ladies' race.

Following on from last week's successes at parkrun, Mark Jackson (20:07) was third at Bolton.

Richard Pollitt (19:59) matched him, but at Haigh Hall, where other Burnden runners included Gareth Lowe (27:13) and Steve Bate (30:47).