THERE was something of a Burnden Road Runners takeover at the Lostock 6 event as 63 runners took part in what was the first race of the club’s championship for 2022.

Mostly road terrain, the ‘6’ has always been a popular race choice and, congregating at makeshift tents for registration outside the closed Barnstormers Pub, even the freezing weather did not deter athletes.

The finish times were fantastic for all involved – each member putting in maximum effort, smashing PBs left, right and centre, and six members achieving sub-40s.

Fastest feet first for the Burnden men were Jonathan Sangster, in an eye-watering 35mins 49secs, with Lee White not far behind in 36:14 and Paul Duke snapping at White’s heels in 36:18.

The top Burnden ladies were all swift sub-45s with speedy Sarah Watton first in 40:30, Gwen Kinloch second in 43:47 and Lyndsay Darbyshire in 44:50.

The terrific trilogy of Caines all smashed it at Lostock as Burnden Bee, Francesca Caine, achieved a PB and won her age category in a brilliant 48:53, while Bee mum Sandra incorporated the six miles into her allotted 16 as part of her training for the Manchester Marathon and still achieved a great time of 1:02:26. Dad, Mike was in the sub-50 club as he swept over the line in a super 46:39.

Burnden Bees Jason Attwood and Martin Whitehead were also on top form as Attwood shaved 10 minutes of his last 10k - making his 51:57 a PB - and Whitehead knocked six minutes of his 2020 Lostock 6 time, crossing in a brilliant 42:24.

Other results: Mark Jackson 37:37, Steve Nolan 38:10, Andy Dunleavy 39:37, Samuel Ashton 40:44, Stephen Horsman 41:27, Chris Worthington 41:46, Gareth Lowe 43:01, Gareth Doherty 43:27, Ed Ashton 43:38, Steven Bate 44:45, Simon Marland 45:12, Paul Christie 45:40, Mark Butler 45:55, Anne Ferguson 46:18, Linda O’Byrne 46:55, Holly Craggs 46:55, Ged Turner 47:35, Patrick Filio 48:57, Francis Mackin 49:42, Chris Greenall 50:51, Jenni Partington 51:00, Thomas Wilkinson 51:01, Emma Walker 52:16, Paul Johnson 52:20, Elaine Roper 52:57, Maggie Slamin 53:05, Julia Hall 53:24, Andy Warburton 53:29, Gillian Morris 53:38, Teresa Riley 53:42, Kathryn Berry 54:12, Robert Bell 55:24, Rachel Prior 56:25, Nicola Hardy 56:35, Sheila Christie 56:36, Chelsea Entwistle 56:40, Nia Bell 56:41, Philip Glassbrook 56:50, Louise Righini 57:29, Jennifer Entwistle 1:04:14, Sarah Brown 1:05.11, Shirley Robinson 1:05:29, Anthony Fulop 1:05:50, Michelle Livesey 1:05:46, Ian Mann 1:06:34, Carol Richardson 1:06:41, Cheryl Dunleavy 1:06:41, Gillian McGowan 1:10:08, Sue Blackman 1:10:53, Sarah McConnell 1:11:09, Debra Hennessey 1:13:56, Trevor Eagle 1:27:09.

The North East was the destination for Andy and Shirley Staveley as they took on the Northumberland Coastal Trail Race which leads runners from Beadnell to Bamburgh Castle.

The terrain is beach and coastal path for approximately 6.5 miles and the Staveleys put in great performances – both winning their age categories. Andy finished 22nd out of 290 in 58:07 - winning first V60 - while Shirley finished 49th in 1:03:49 – winning V55.

Paul Drew was drawn to the coast to compete in the Stanley Park 10K organised by Fylde Coast Runners.

The flat, two-lap race is staged over two days because of its popularity and starts and finishes on the running track – venturing on to well-maintained paths in the beautiful parkland.

Drew crossed the track finish line in an impressive 48:09 and was 72nd out of 253 runners.

As Parkrun destinations far and wide across the UK prove, Burndeners do not hang up their vests when on holiday and the destination this week was Costa Teguise for Aidy Ashburn.

He is not racing as he recovers from injury, but he packed his club vest and enjoyed lots of morning runs and a sunshineless but ‘windy and warm’ 10-miler while enjoying a break from being kit officer for Burnden.

Bolton Parkrun was the destination for just three members this week and Mark Jackson was first home in 22:22.

Newly-appointed coach, Marcus Chester, was next in 24:36 and Burnden Bee, Sarah Brown, completed the trio in 33:52.

Gayle Gerrard was the sole member at Heaton Parkrun, finishing in an excellent 23:51, while Pete Hopley achieved third position at Witton Parkrun in a brilliant 20:44.

Haigh Woodland welcomed the tough trio - David Smith, Gareth Lowe and Steven Bate - who all put in brilliant performances, finishing in 22:52, 23:23 and 24:49 respectively.

Liz Hopley flew the flag at Milford Waterfront Parkrun in a field of just 39 runners – finishing in a great 31:25, while Simon Marland and Sue Blackman ventured to Bury Field – crossing in impressive times of 24:40 and 34:22 respectively.