BURNDEN Road Runners had both their men’s and women’s teams put in some fine individual displays at the Northern Relays at Birkenhead Park.

It was a sunny day and spirits were high as the tent was pitched and the runners checked out the course before the relays commenced at 12pm.

Members had been allocated distances in advance by chairman Paul Christie to give the club the best chance of completing the event – either a one-lap distance of 4km or a two-lap distance of 8km.

The men’s event was a 12-stage relay of 64km over 12 legs, while the women’s was a six-stage relay in which two teams were entered to each complete a distance of 32km in six legs.

The speeds of the clubs attending were phenomenal and, while Burnden was not at the top of the table and were a lady down, there were top performances and best efforts all round.

The atmosphere was fantastic and the team bond was clear as all members were cheered on, including new Burnden member, Kath Baron, who only volunteered to take part just a week beforehand.

Burnden results: Men: Stage 1 - Stephen Horsman (8K) 32:36; Stage 2 - Steven Bate (4K) 16:59; Stage 3 - Martin Whitehead (8K) 33:46; Stage 4 - Mike Caine (4K) 17:38; Stage 5 - Gareth Lowe (8K) 34:27; Stage 6 - Paul Christie (4K) 17:10; Stage 7 - Andy Dunleavy (8K) 32:14; Stage 8 - Phil Glassbrook (4K) 21:35; Stage 9 - Colm O’Brien (4K) 18:26; Stage 10 - Jason Attwood (4K) 18:41; Stage 11 - Tony Fulop (4K) 23:55; Stage 12 - Ian Mann (4K) 26:27: Women (Team A): Stage 1 Vicki Hamer (8K) 35:42; Stage 2 - Verity Harrison (4K) 18:36; Stage 3 - Francesca Caine (4K) 18:52; Stage 4 - Jane Forrest (8K) 41:54; Stage 5 - Nicola Hardy (4K) 20:35; Stage 6 - Louise Righini (4K) 20:48; Women (Team B): Stage 1 - Sarah Brown (8K) 51:46; Stage 2 - Jen Forkin (4K) 23:41; Stage 3 - Shirley Robinson (4K) 25:15; Stage 4 - Cheryl Dunleavy (8K) 53:34; Stage 5 - Kathryn Baron (4K) 20:55.

On Saturday, a triplicate of members travelled to stunning Silverdale for the Leighton Hall and Areas of Natural Beauty (AONB) Trail 10K.

The route takes runners amongst fine woodland surrounding the Hall, through the RSPB reserve and around the areas of natural beauty with three great performances in a field of 251.

Fell captain, Ged Turner, was first home in 51st position and fourth in his age group, while Holly Craggs was next home in 1hr 1min 17secs for 63rd place. Carolyn Edwards followed in 1:10:40 in 128th place.

On the day the Burnden Beginners’ Saturday morning group held its penultimate 10am session in the parkland of Leverhulme, new ‘Bee’, Olivia George, decided to brave the 9am crowd and took on her very first official parkrun.

Determined to finish in under 45 minutes, Olivia kept the walk breaks to a minimum and came home in a very respectable 40:15.

Leaders Shirley Robinson, Vicki Hamer and Jen Forkin ran alongside Olivia, as did fellow Burndeners, and there were huge cheers waiting for her as she crossed the line.

Burnden’s Bees - the New Beginners’ Group - will end on Saturday after 12 weeks, but there is a new 0-5K group starting on a Monday evening from Smithills Sports Centre in the coming weeks.

The Inbetweeners’ group (5-10K), as well as a weekly long run and efforts session, all currently run on a Monday evening from Smithills Sports Centre at 7pm.

For more details, visit burndenroadrunners.co.uk

Elsewhere at Bolton parkrun, it was attack of the sub-30s as an impressive 10 members managed the milestone with one member just one second over.

Top male and female performers were Andy Dunleavy (21:46), giving him 10th overall position of 249, and Maggie Slamin (29:01) in 107th position.

Other Burnden results: Stephen Horsman 22:52, Marcus Hamer 23:05, Chris Worthington 23:19, Steven Bate 23:29, Marcus Chester 24:01, Paul Drew 24:59, Richard Blake 28:54, Paul Johnson 29:04, Phil Glassbrook 30:01, Rachel Prior 30:41, Mel Walker 30:58, Sarah Brown 33:52, Shirley Robinson 37:58, Simon Irving 38:22, Gillian McGowan 38:57, Nia Bell 39:03, Cheryl Dunleavy 39:07, Vicki Hamer 41:27, Jen Forkin 41:30.

Four other destinations were ticked off the collective bucket list of parkruns for Burndeners.

Mark Jackson marvelled at Marple in 19:59 and eighth position, while the Hopleys wowed at Witton as Pete finished in 20:20 and a brilliant second position with Liz following in 33:31 and 59th position.

Aidy Ashburn cruised round at Chadderton in 28:51 and achieved 16th position, while Simon Marland and Sue Blackman were anything but leisurely at Loch Leven.

Marland crossed in 23:12 and made 14th position, while Blackman completed in 35:10 and was in 60th position.