THREE Burndeners were off the running track and onto the bikes as they tackled the incredibly hilly Tour de Manc 100K cycle.

Sarah McConnell and Kathryn Berry joined Burnden legend Gillian McGowan as they started the route in Bowlee, Middleton, covering climbs in Milnrow, Rochdale, Norden, Owd Betts, Enfield, Helmshore, Stubbins, Ramsbottom, Hawkshaw, Edgeworth, Belmont, Tottington and Owd Betts the other way and back to Middleton.

The trio finished in a time of 6hrs 28mins after what they described as a ‘brutal’ event.

Robert Bell and Rachel Prior took on the Holcombe Howler 10K last weekend, which features ‘a steep hill to turn Cruella and Smithills Dean pale’ as Bell described it.

This is Heracles Hill and once runners reach the summit, they run along the Ministry of Defence training area, circling the hill and sweeping past Peel Tower, before descending back down to the Hare and Hounds pub where they began.

Bell described it as a ‘great day for an 8am start run’ and, although hampered by injury, he still put in a good time of 1:36:03, supported by Prior who completed in 1:33:27 and achieved second lady.

Sue T was the sole Burnden representative at the Salford Media City 10K this week where she achieved 1:13:04 on a quick and flat paved course.

The route consists of four laps of 2.5k, starting in the Central Piazza and takes in the highlights of Media City including the BBC Studios, the Lowry Theatre and the Imperial War Museum.

Elsewhere, Lee White swept up a fantastic time of 17:59 at the fast, flat and friendly Morecambe 5K.

Great views across the Bay accompany this seaside run along the west end promenade and White was awarded third overall position in this out-and-back blast.

Sefton Park was host to the Liverpool Spring 10K and Burnden’s Sarah Watton and Jonathan Sangster were among the challengers.

Watton’s speedy time of 42:09 placed her in the top 10 ladies – at position six and third V35 – also a personal-best time by 1min 23secs.

Sangster achieved 29th overall position with a swift 37:33.

The Mersey Races are open to all abilities and offer a Summer 50k and a Santa Stroll ,as well as the Spring 10, 5 and 1k races.

Cheryl and Andy Dunleavy were on the move again as they took advantage of their weekend in Sussex to take on the Haywards Heath 10-miler.

This is an undulating course taking in some beautiful woodland trail and parkland.

Andy won his age category with an impressive 1:15:27 and Cheryl was happy with finishing just over the two-hour mark at 2:02:05.

It was all about the ladies at Worsley Woods as Mad Bull Events supported Swinton Running Club’s 5-miler at the picturesque park.

Anne Ferguson described it as a ‘lovely and inclusive race with some really good runners’ as she achieved a great time of 39:48 and won her age category.

Likewise, Louise Righini described it as ‘a lovely race organised by Swinton with lots of great support out on the scenic route’ as she put in a good performance, crossing the line in 48:33.

Almost 50 Burndeners travelled near, far and wide over the Bank Holiday weekend and took in a variety of parkrun destinations.

Whitby welcomed new member Carolyn Edwards to the Cinder Track where she finished in 29:47 and Penrith Parkrun was host to Lawrence McDonald who achieved 25:25 - two minutes quicker than his last Bolton Parkrun.

Wales welcomed two members with Jenni Partington putting in a solid performance at Aberystwyth - eighth overall female in a flat 25:00 - while Jen Forkin achieved a PB at Conwy Parkrun and seventh in her age category with 31:46.

Beautiful Skipton saw Pete Hopley finish in a breathtaking 20:06 - eighth male and ninth overall position and Rhian Vickers crossed in 33:17.

Sandra Caine was at Fell Foot, Newby Bridge and finished in 30:22, while the Dunleavys visited Peacehaven in East Sussex. Andy was first to ring the PB/first-timer bell disturbing the peace with the front runners at Peacehaven parkrun, coming in at an impressive second place with 20:11. Cheryl enjoyed the peaceful surroundings finishing the three-lap course in 34:09.

Jennifer Entwistle visited stunning Northumberland and took in The Pastures Parkrun, finishing in 33:05.

Closer to home, Wythenshawe Parkrun saw Aidy Ashburn, finish in 22:31 as Mark Jackson sailed across the finish line at Sale Water in an astonishing 19:57 - second male and in second overall position.

Preston welcomed Liz Hopley where she finished in 32:03, while Heaton Park saw Chris Greenall finish in 24:43 and Sarah Brown in 31:59.

Bolton Parkrun was still full to the rafters of Burndeners and Sam Ashton was riding high at Leverhulme, achieving fourth male and fourth overall position in 21:11, while Gwen Kinloch was fourth female in 23:10.

Other results: Mark Cannon 21:39, Gareth Doherty 22:15, Stephen Horsman 22:45, David Smith 23:03, Adam Austin 23:07, Martin Fielding 23:10, Vicki Hamer 24:17, Paul Drew 24:21, Simon Marland 24:41, Colm O’Brien 24:45, Tim Taylor 25:10, Josh Palmer 25:22, Linda O’Byrne 25:27, Andy Warburton 26:17, Francis Mackin 28:19, Paul Johnson 28:46, Richard Blake 29:20, Philip Glassbrook 30:14, Maggie Slamin 30:18, Gillian Morris 31:31, Emma Walker 31:33, Anthony Fulop 34:28, Sue Blackman 35:21, Ian Mann 35:28, Carol Richardson 35:35, Trevor Eagle 43:28, Marcus Chester 45:39.