JONATHAN Sangster got his running year off to a great start by winning the Holcombe Moor 10k, part of the Howler trail series.

In tough conditions over the climbs of Peel tower and Pilgrims Cross Sangster led home the field in an outstanding time of 51mins 20 secs.

Joining him in the event but on the half-marathon course was Richard Bell who completed the two-lap course in a very credible 2:41:20.

The festive period didn’t stop Burnden members racing in all parts of Europe and at very different events.

The busiest were Lyndsay Darbyshire (F50) and Anne Ferguson (F60), who both completed a hat-trick of category victories at the Astley Park winter festival four-mile race, the Trails and Ales Fell race in Rivington and most recently the Central Lancashire half-marathon.

The pick of the results must be Darbyshire, who completed the Central Lancs half-marathon in a time of 1:36:21, a massive six-and-a-half minutes ahead of her nearest age-category rival.

Results

Astley Park – Lyndsay Darbyshire 33:16, Anne Ferguson 34:17, Steve Bate 35:52, Karen Smith 39:14, Diane Wylie 42:41.

Trails and Ales fell race – Christophe Menand 1:06:33, Anne Ferguson 1:07:27, Lyndsay Darbyshire 1:09:34, Tim Taylor 1:13:13, Ged Turner 1:13:42, Jane Forrest 1:23:15, Liz Hopley 1:32:38.

Central Lancs Half Marathon – Lyndsay Darbyshire 1:36:21, Anne Ferguson 1:44:09, Mark Butler 1:58:27.

Sarah Watton continued her excellent end of year form by claiming a podium finish as third lady, this time in the San Silvestre three-mile race in Lanzarote. She ran an excellent time of 19:29.

Also on her travels and also finishing third lady was ladies captain Vicki Hamer.

Vicki took on the Toyen parkrun in a very icy course in Oslo, Norway and clocked a great time of 22:35.

At the Ribble Valley 10k in Clitheroe were four Burndeners taking part.

One of those was Adam Austin who, in his debut race, brought the team home in an encouraging time of 46:12. He was followed by Mark Butler (49:43), Debra Hennessy (1:02:55) and Claire Yates (1:03:46).

At the Festive Christmas Bauble 10k, Karen Smith was Burnden’s sole representative, finishing in a time of 1:10:42 on a tough course around Rivington.

Only one cross-county race over the same period saw Paul Duke and Aidy Ashburn tackle the Arrow park course in Birkenhead.

The duo both had strong runs finishing in 61st and 124th respectively in a field of more than 250 in the Merseyside Sunday League.

Also on Merseyside, Sarah Woodiwiss completed back-to-back marathons on consecutive days at the Liverbird event held on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.