Burnden members managed to squeeze in a few races before the clock struck midnight and 2023 was welcomed in.

On New Year’s Eve, in Horwich, the sounds of a bagpiper could be heard as Mad Bull Events staged their popular Trails and Ales 10K race, which finishes with a pie, a pint and a party.

The piper set the runners off and then welcomed them back home and Burnden had great representation in the results.

First male through the mud and mild drizzle was Andy Staveley, who picked up first MV60 in a brilliant 1hr 33secs, followed by Pete Hopley in 1:02:27 and Ed Ashton in 1:04:16.

Verity Harrison was first lady back for Burnden in 1:10:02, while Lyndsay Darbyshire was second FV50 in 1:12:27 and Anne Ferguson finished second FV60 in 1:11:05.

Other results: Samuel Ashton 1:05:16, Ged Turner 1:18:07, Tim Taylor 1:19:29, Jane Forrest 1:19:58, Jason Attwood 1:32:08.

Elsewhere, a pair of Burnden ‘hobbits’ set off on a quest to find the finish line and take home their own ‘precious’ medal as they undertook the Tolkien Trail around Little Mitton.

The trail is a popular and regular feature on the race calendar and is held in summer as well as winter.

It is a spellbinding mix of enchanting woods, fields, muddy trails and road as runners follow a path of inspiration for Lord of the Rings author, J.R.R. Tolkien.

Hobbiting to the finish in fantastical times were Carolyn Edwards, in 1:22:48, and, staying on his feet, Tony Fulop, in 1:37:31.

Cheryl and Andy Dunleavy chose to incorporate races into their New Year breakaway in the North Lakes – Cheryl taking on the North Lakes New Year 10K and Andy the Half Marathon.

Set in the base of the beautiful Lorton Valley in Cockermouth, the course describes itself as ‘gentle by Cumbrian standards’ as, though surrounded by fells, runners will follow ‘quiet, rolling roads with no major hills’.

Cheryl finished the 10K course in a great 1:15:00 and Andy sped round his half, qualifying for first MV65 and for an England vest at the Chester Half in May.

He had to finish under the EA qualification time of 1:43:00 and in the top three at V65, and he smashed it in 1:31:43 for first MV65.

New Year’s Day saw the conclusion of the GB Ultras race series – the Liverbird Double Marathon where runners start by the River Mersey for this unique race which has the options of marathon, half marathon, 10K or 5K.

The Burnden representative was Sarah-Jane Wells, who opted for the half marathon course which tasks runners to complete the measured route twice

She finished as third female in a fine time of 2:25:31.

Francesca Caine enjoyed a double celebration on New Year’s Eve when she marked her 21st birthday as the first woman to finish at Bolton Parkrun.

The Burnden Road Runner finished in 28mins 14secs to start the evening’s festivities early.

Mark Jackson was in fine fettle as he finished in seventh overall position with a swift 22:11, while Paul Duke was next in 23:18 and Stephen Horsman followed in 23:31.

Other Bolton results for New Year’s Eve: Steven Bate 25:31, David Smith 25:58, Lawrence McDonald 26:13, Chris Worthington 26:38, Michael Caine 26:39, Gareth Lowe 27:36, Michael Kermode 27:49, Kathryn Berry 28:30, Josh Palmer 30:02, Linda O’Byrne 30:09, Lyall Mew 30:16, Elaine Roper 30:44, Emma Walker 30:47, Paul Johnson 32:18, Teresa Riley 32:20, Gillian Morris 32:31, Paul Willan 32:31, Sandra Caine 38:27, Ian Mann 39:35, Jen Forkin (tail walker) 1:06:50.

Elsewhere, Suleman Badat was in the top 10 at Peel and in fifth overall position with a speedy 18:54, while Chris Greenall clocked 24:59.

Other results: Whinlatter Forest – Tom Stratton 24:54, Katherine Baines 28:37; Heaton Park – Adrian Ashburn 24:54, Gayle Gerrard 24:54, Carol Richardson 36:10, Sarah Brown 36:28; Witton Park – Liz Hopley 35:13; Doddington Hall – Simon Marland 23:18, Sue Blackman 33:24.

Bolton organisers had a day off from hosting New Year’s Day parkrun and journeyed to Sale Water Park for a bit of tourism.

Results for Burnden from this muddy parkrun saw Lyall Mew finish in 23:48, followed by Adrian Ashburn (24:09), Lawrence McDonald (26:51), Simon Entwistle (28:24) and Jennifer Entwistle (35:38).

Other results: Cliffe Castle – Carolyn Edwards 33:53; Haigh Woodland – David Smith 25:32, Gareth Lowe 25:45, Ged Turner 28:17, Carol Richardson 38:12, Sarah Brown 38:18.