Burndeners were out in force in Blackpool at runs to mark the switching on of the famous illuminations.

First up was Patrick Filio at the annual 10K event organised by Fylde Coast Runners and described as the ‘brightest night run ever’ with many runners choosing to adorn themselves with lights of all descriptions. He was home in 47mins 18secs.

Another Blackpool Lights Run in aid of Brian House Hospice saw seven Burndeners take part with Natasha Clarke first home in 47:44.

Other results: Carol Richardson 49:35, Shirley Robinson 49:53, Gillian McGowan 55:24, Nia Bell 55:30, Michelle Livesey 55:39, Sarah Brown 55:40.

Yorkshire-dwelling Burnden Road Runner, Carolyn Edwards, clocked up 14.7 miles at the Yorkshireman Half Marathon. Describing the race as ‘a bit tough’, she finished the extended half with its 1,750 of ascent in 3:38:52.

Several Burnden members are also part of local triathlon club, Tri-Rivington, and were saddened to hear of the sudden passing of coach and club founder, Ray McGloin, in 2022.

Inspired by him, Tri-Rivington held the inaugural Ray McGloin Duathlon to celebrate his contribution to the sport and next year’s duathlon is planned to be an open event. This year, Gillian McGowan, Mike Caine, Kath and Andrew Berry and Tim Taylor took part in the running and cycling challenge.

Around 60,000 people joined Sir Mo Farah in his final ever competitive race at the AJ Bell Great North Run - and four of those were Burnden Road Runners.

Racing for the MND charity were husband-and-wife duo, Simon and Jennifer Entwistle and they were joined by Luke Newell and Paul Willan.

Willan was first home in 1:46:14 - his second fastest half-marathon, Simon Entwistle clocked 2:23:38, Jennifer Entwistle finished in 2:35:19 and Newell crossed the line in 2:38:43.

Willan said: “The heat was at times unbearable. Waiting for almost two hours in 20°C heat, and in direct sun before the race started, I was already sweating at this point. This was the first year that I was in one of the first waves after the elites. This meant we crossed the bridge just as the Red Arrows flew past - that was amazing.

“I was on track for a PB, but at mile eight the heat was getting to me and I had to slow. After the finish, we saw the Red Arrows again. Then day turned in to night and a huge thunderstorm rolled in and the road turned to river.”

Tony Fulop chose the Yarrow River Bluebell 10K as his challenge this week and his great running saw him finish 6.64K in a sub-hour time of 55:57.

Another triathlon challenge saw Burnden quartet Gareth Doherty, Stephen Horsman, Martin Cullen and Lyall Mew take on the Lancaster Sprint Triathlon at Lancaster University.

Results: Horsman - 1:12:46 (swim 9:27, bike 36:53, run 24:07), Doherty - 1:12:55 (9:41, 38:10, 23:14), Mew - 1:14:54 (9:57, 39:12, 23:28), Cullen - 1:17:53 (9:52, 40:05, 25:04).

In April 2021, when Burnden Road Runners held their Burnden Bees Beginners’ Group, Sarah Brown made her debut and was super from the beginning - easily completing 5K by the end of the beginners’ course then progressing steadily to 10K.

Now club secretary, she recently ran her first half-marathon at Cheshire - just two years from joining as a beginner.

She was joined in her challenge at Cheshire by fellow Bee, Cheryl Dunleavy, and coach, Andy Dunleavy. All three finished with flying colours - Brown in 2:43:48, Cheryl in 2:51:19 and Andy winning first MV65 in 1:34:48.

Gillian McGowan has hit the coveted parkrun milestone of 100 runs but could not celebrate her century at Bolton, so invited Burnden and friends to join her at Haigh Woodland parkrun where she finished in 41:33.

At Watergrove Parkrun in Rochdale, Tom Stratton was first runner home in 21:24.

Other results: Mura di Lucca Parkrun, Tuscany - Nia Bell 29:20; Kagerzoom, Netherlands - Steven Snape 29:41, Joyce Tyldesley 37:09; Haigh Woodland - Suleman Badat (fourth) 19:53, David Smith 23:33, Martin Cullen 23:38, Lawrence McDonald 24:13, Kathryn Berry 29:46, Jenni Partington 30:45, Philip Glassbrook 31:05, Paul Johnson 32:11, Carol Richardson 34:25, Gareth Lowe 36:24, Teresa Riley 36:37, Jennifer Entwistle 36:47, Michelle Livesey 39:22, Alyson Cullen 46:00; Watergrove, Rochdale - Katherine Baines 30:15; Endcliffe - Mark Turner 30:35; Worsley Woods - Chris Worthington 22:27; Marple - Martin Archer 23:05; Stretford - Adrian Ashburn 23:11; Frickley Country - Simon Marland 25:17.