Burnden Road Runners members swapped running shoes for dancing shoes as the club held its annual presentation night.

The event, organised by social secretaries, Vicki and Sarah, has grown over the years and has become a firm favourite in Burnden’s calendar.

It is a chance to recognise the achievements of all those who represent Burnden at every level and also those who have gone above and beyond in the club.

With entertainment by local musician, Tommy Govan, there was a good number at Egerton Cricket Club.

Recent additions to the awards include the Virtual Championship certificates and the Members’ Member, as well as Special Recognition. Old favourites include the Club and Off-Road (formerly Fell) Championship trophies, the Vet Categories, the Captains’ Awards and the Chair’s Award.

This year was particularly special as it included two awards of Honorary Lifetime Membership, as well as a change in chair, and some poignant and memorable speeches were made.

Outgoing Chair, Paul Christie, was the host and he presented the majority of the awards including one of Honorary Membership to Anne Ferguson - recognising her long association with the club as a brilliant runner and as the outgoing secretary. She then made a speech in return to recognise the huge contribution Christie has made to Burnden Road Runners in his four years as chair.

Incoming chair, Andy Dunleavy, also made a speech including the phenomenal running achievements of Melvyn Walker – Burnden’s most senior member, who has just retired from racing and is an inspiration to everyone in the club.

It is fair to say jaws were on the floor as runners of all speeds listened to Walker’s outstanding running record and his humble comments.

He said: “I started running age 38 after the Bolton Pony marathon in 1981.

“Ten weeks after I ran the Barnsley marathon in 3hrs 19mins and the following Easter I ran the Daffodil marathon in 2:58:00. In June I ran the Piccadilly marathon in 2:44:00 and in 1985 I ran my PB at Selby in 2:32:00.

“I ran the first of my London marathons in 2:34:00 for third M45 and competed a further five in London - all in the elite section with my last one age 51 in 2:44:58.

“My last London marathon was in 2017, when I qualified as a good for age- and ran 4:05:00 aged 74.

“Other notable results saw me finish second in the Weston Super Mare marathon and fourth in the Torbay marathon, aged 50, in 2:45:00.

“I also won the Spring View half marathon in 1:15:00.

“My PBs include:- 5k - 15:54, 5,000 metres (Bolton cinder track) - 26:16, 5 miles - 26:16 (Horwich Jubilee race), 10k - 32:58 (Chorley), 10 miles - 53:57 (Clitheroe), Half-marathon - 1:12:39 (Bridgewater, Somerset), • 20 miles - 1:54:00 (Stafford), marathon - 2:32:42 (Selby).

“I had no special talent for running, just the enjoyment it gave me and the belief that the more miles I ran the better I will be.

“AndI have a solid mental strength.

“But that’s it, my body has told me it’s time to look for other less strenuous activities.

“Thank you to all my running friends for sharing this journey with me.”

Walker’s wife, Eileen, was welcomed up to join him in receiving his special award. She has been a super support for Mel and has accompanied him to every race – cheering him on.

The club members salute and respect Mel as a true Burnden Road Runner for life.

Junior Burndener Francesca Caine picked up the club’s Ladies’ Captain’s Award for her superb running efforts last year.

Francesca joined the club in 2020 as a ‘Burnden Bee’ beginner, has been recognised as she has come on in leaps and bounds since joining Road Runners.

Mum Sandra and dad Mike are also members having been inspired by Francesca and they were at the club’s presentation night to support their super daughter and it was hugs and beaming smiles all round when she received her honour from Vicki Hamer.

Also at the awards night, Marcus Chester, outgoing men’s captain and represented by incoming captain, Gareth Doherty, awarded the Men’s Captain’s Award to Andy Dunleavy as recognition of his brilliant achievements in 2022.

He qualified to wear the England vest and achieved top 10 for his age in Britain.

But his award was also for the inspiration he offers the club and will continue to do as incoming chair and England Athletics coach.

Tony Fulop, whose moving and inspirational story we had the privilege of learning this year, was rightly awarded the Members’ Member Award – voted for by Burnden members and also the Chair’s Award. 

Fulop does not give up and is the definition of resilience at Burnden, being an inspiration to all members.

Though not among the fastest runners, he enters every challenge, every race and every event with enthusiasm and his characteristic and brilliant smile.

He is a familiar sight on the roads of Bolton as his determination to succeed and his love of running sees him out every single day.

Burnden member, Cheryl Dunleavy, started the Virtual Championships (VCs) in 2020/21 as a way to motivate herself and engage club members to ‘keep on keeping well’ during the pandemic.

Another year on in 2022 and the VCs have grown stronger and more popular than ever, seeing a boost to participation.

In total, 76 members took part in last year’s VCs and 37 members qualified to receive a shiny certificate having completed at least five out of 11 Virtual Challenges (February Tracktastic, March Hare, April Trail Away, May Water Way, June sMile, July Park Run Away, August Sun Selfie, September Super Sprint, October Play the Eight, November Narnia, and December Dash-Dawdle), with nine members completing every challenge.

On top of the VC was Gareth Doherty, who had an amazing season returning from injury and smashing his personal best again and again.

He was not the only one speeding along, as the youngest member, Francesca Caine, and club coach Andy Dunleavy tied with Doherty on winning the most Flying Feet badges between them.

Also having a fabulous VC season, and coming in second place, was Howard Sparke, closely followed in third by Lauren Hulme.

The top 10 also included some VC badge winners, notably Carolyn Edwards flying high over the hills and taking overall winner of Elevation Eagle, followed by Andy Dunleavy clipping at her wings.

Edwards also wiped up in the Pleasure Cruiser category along with Gillian McGowan and Ian Mann walking the talk on many of the challenges.

By far the most prestigious badge category is the 100 Club where members compete against their own personal best as set at the start of the year.

Members clearing 100 points on many of the challenges were Doherty, Caine, Edwards, and Carol Richardson.

Overall VC positions: (1) Doherty, Gareth (2) Sparke, Howard (3) Hulme, Lauren (4) Caine, Francesca (5) Caine, Michael (6) Harrison, Verity (7) Brown, Sarah (8)Edwards, Carolyn (9) Prior, Rachel (10)Fulop, Anthony (11) Palmer, Josh (12) Berry, Tracy (13) Caine, Sandra (14) Eagle, Trevor (15) O’Byrne, Linda (16) Righini, Louise (17) Richardson, Carol (18) Entwistle, Jennifer (19) Carter, Michelle (20) Mann, Ian (21) Dunleavy, Andy (22) Riley, Teresa (23) Livesey, Michelle (24) Bell, Robert (25) Whitehead, Martin (26) Mackin, Francis (27) Robinson, Shirley (28) Bell, Nia (29) Dunleavy, Cheryl (30) Jackson, Mark (31) Drew, Paul (32) Gerrard, Gayle (33) McGowan, Gillian (34) McDonald, Lawrence (35) Thalange, Sue (36) Forkin, Jennifer (37) Slamin, Maggie.