BIG group of 24 Burnden Road Runners took to the hills to take part in Lostock AC’s Leo Pollard Memorial Race with several category wins.

‘Challenging’, ‘exhilarating’, ‘tough’ and ‘fun’ are some of the adjectives to describe the seven-mile fell race and there were category wins for Lyndsay Darbyshire, who crossed in an impressive 1hr 14mins 2secs and was crowned first Burnden lady, and Jane Forrest, who finished in a brilliant 1:16:16 for second Burnden lady.

Pete Hopley was first Burndener home, to complete his recent hat-trick for the Club, in a superb 1:02:31.

Just nine seconds later was Ed Ashton in 1:02:40, followed by another two in quick succession - Stephen Horsman (1:03:17) and Andy Staveley in (1:03:21).

Beginning at the Top Barn in Rivington, runners face a steep climb up to the Pike and must then circulate both Rivington and Smithills moor – taking in Brown Hill and Crooked Edge Hill to reach the Two Lads monument.

Circling again around Holden’s Plantation and Smithills Shooting Hut, it is another climb almost to the mast before traversing back across Rivington Moor in stunning approach to the Pike. Racers then retrace their steps to finish at the starting point.

Some runners were diverted from the original route because of the sheer number of merrymakers out on the Pike to celebrate the Jubilee and the lighting up of the beacon to reflect the Union flag.

The race was in aid of Bolton Mountain Rescue and in memory of Lostock’s honorary life president, Leo Pollard - a keen fell runner who passed away in 2018 - and it raised £600.

Burnden results: Samuel Ashton 1:05:45, Andy Dunleavy 1:07:20, Ged Turner 1:13:04, Colm O’Brien 1:15:20, Steven Bate 1:15:57, Jane Forrest 1:16:16, Verity Harrison 1:19:33, Carolyn Edwards 1:30:43, Kath Baron 1:30:44, Emma Walker 1:46:59, Gillian Morris 1:46:59, Jenni Partington 1:46:59, Anthony Fulop 1:56:56.

Four ladies finished as a pack and crossed the line hand in hand as they celebrated finishing the tough race.

With identical times were Cheryl Dunleavy (1:58:32), Jennifer Forkin (1:58:32), Louise Righini (1:58:32) and Nia Bell (1:58:32).

Fresh from supporting at the Leo Pollard Fell, Mark Jackson was out on the fells himself on Saturday morning as he ran an excellent race at Edenfield.

Along with 87 others, he finished the 10.3k in an impressive 30th position with a speedy 1:00:47.

Organised by Rossendale Harriers, fell runners start this race from Edenfield Cricket Ground, travelling along road and path before crossing Cowpe Lowe, Rossendale Way and Tottington Moor before navigating back across Scout Moor and New Hall Close.

Meanwhile, Debra Hanson rang the cowbell for Burnden as she raced the Crazy Cow 10K this week.

This is an undulating multi-terrain course from Avenham in Preston.

Organised by Road Races Ltd, there is a Crazy Calf one-mile fun run on the same day and all runners receive a cowbell on finishing either race.

Hanson completed the 6.2 miles in 1:11:00 and would definitely recommend it to fellow members.

New Burnden Road Runner, Michael Hampson, finished first at Bolton Parkrun in a superb time of 17mins 55secs.

On a good day for the club, Sarah Watton swept up another first lady accolade in 23:12 at the notoriously tough course, while Mark Jackson was fourth male and fourth overall finisher in 20:42.

Burnden’s very own queen, Gillian McGowan, completed the Virtual Jubilee 5K challenge at Bolton Parkrun in a regal 42:01.

Other results: Mark Cannon 21:44, Gareth Lowe 22:14, Paul Drew 24:33, Lawrence McDonald 26:37, Josh Palmer 27:41, Melissa Husbands 28:04, Marcus Chester 28:40, Linda O’Byrne 29:00, Gareth Doherty 29:01, Simon Entwistle 29:43, Gillian Morris 30:21, Mel Walker 30:40, Jennifer Entwistle 33:25, Lauren Hulme 35:01, Jenni Partington 35:24, Debra Hennessey 37:30, Nia Bell 37:30.

Plenty of Burnden members travelled to other parkrun venues with the furthest travelled being Sue Blackman and Simon Marland who visited Thurso parkrun in North East Caithness on the north coast of Scotland.

Their parkrun is held at Thurso Boating Pond. Marland finished in eighth position with a time of 22:53 and Blackman finished in 33:37.

Other results: Heaton Park – Gayle Gerrard 25:01, Chris Greenall 26:04; Worsley Woods – Sarah Brown 32:08, Michelle Livesey 34:14, Carol Richardson 35:09; Haigh Woodland – Andy Dunleavy 20:55, Cheryl Dunleavy 36:21; Graves – Paul Johnson 35:19; Witton – Liz Hopley 33:32; Stretford – Adrian Ashburn 22:09.