Burnden’s cross-country team, led by Paul Duke, competed in the first race of the Red Rose League at Todmorden lasy weekend and ran well.

The Burnden team navigated their way around a challenging and lapped hilly climb through Centre Vale Park with beautiful views of Peel Tower.

Near perfect conditions and the speedy legs ensured an eighth overall positioning for the ladies and fourth vets team with help from Gwen Kinloch, Lyndsay Darbyshire, Anne Ferguson and Kathryn Baron.

The men’s team, with assistance from Mark Whittington, Duke, Andy Staveley, Danny Glynn, Steve Nolan and Marcus Chester finished eighth overall and fifth vet team.

Results: Gwen Kinloch 25mins 36secs (second vet), Lyndsay Darbyshire 25:42 (third vet), Anne Ferguson 26:13 (first vet), Kathryn Baron 32:17, Nia Bell 34:10, Tony Fulop 37:36, Mark Whittington 40:43, Paul Duke 41:13, Andy Staveley 41:20 (first vet), Danny Glynn 41:31, Steve Nolan 43:17 (second vet), Marcus Chester 44:32, Keith Thomas 46:29 (first vet), David Smith 49:22, Andy Warburton 54:50.

Heading to Scotland, but in different directions, were Tess Riley - going to Nessie’s homeland - and the Entwistles, destined for Glasgow for The Great Scottish Run.

Riley had her sights set on the Baxter’s Loch Ness Marathon, toted as ‘one of the most stunning marathons in the world’, with superb scenery and atmosphere in the Highlands of Scotland.

It is a memorable one to tick off the bucket list of races and Riley finished in a super 4:57:33.

She said: “Stunning Highland scenery, six miles downhill, then along Loch Ness for 12 miles. A wee bit hilly for two miles, then into Inverness.”

Just a week after their great efforts at the Warrington Festival Half Marathon, the Entwistles caught the bug for 13.1 miles and set off on the Great Scottish Run.

The beautiful course takes runners through two sides of the city from urban streets to Glasgow’s greenest spaces. Passing city landmarks along the way, it is a well-supported run and a perfect one for soaking up the incredible atmosphere.

Jen was chuffed to finish in a great 2:22:56 - eight minutes faster than the previous week - and Simon finished in a super time of 2:05:53.

It was along the road to rainy Bury for two Burnden Road Runners members as they competed in the Festival of Running 10K. The races, which are annually joined by a shorter family fun run, are part of the ‘Jayne Tomlinson’s Run for All’ and the Bury Running Festival - seasoned events and well organised.

Finishing the 10K, with great support from marshals and the public, despite the weather, was Michael Kermode in 43:25 and Louise Righini in 1:04:14.

Bernie Jones and Gillian McGowan headed to the popular Media City 5K during the week on a route which is flat, busy and paved - a 2.5K loop starting in the central piazza and taking in the area’s highlights, including the BBC Studios, Lowry Theatre and the Imperial War Museum.

The race was Jones’ debut for the club and she finished in 30:08, with McGowan following in 35:06.

McGowan said: “It was a great event and it was super to run around Media City, over the bridges and along the quay at night time with everything lit up.”

More than 2,000 runners gathered for the Knutsford 10K events last weekend and Burnden’s Lyall Mew was one of them.

Starting within the stunning grounds of the Barclays Radbroke Campus, the largest technology centre for the bank in the UK, this flat and fast course has plenty of PB potential and Mew smashed his, crossing the finish line in 40:53.

A few special mentions go to Burndeners this week at parkrun as several members attained some superb times and achievements.

Martin Whitehead credited the recent parkrun improver sessions on a Wednesday night for his best time at Bolton this year. He crossed the line in 22:48.

Michael Kermode was first in his age category and seventh overall position in St Helens as he passed in 20:18.

Other results: Heaton Park - Chris Greenall 25:04, Gayle Gerrard 25:17; Wakefield Thornes - Tom Stratton 23:45, Katherine Baines 23:47; Bolton - Chris Worthington 22:30, Lawrence McDonald 24:28, Paul Drew 24:59, Marcus Hamer 25:11, Paul Johnson 29:15, Philip Glassbrook 30:51, Gemma Chapman 32:42, Nia Bell 37:02, Gillian McGowan 40:30, Luke Newell 1:02:29; Hanley - Simon Marland 23:38, Sue Marland 33:53; Conwy - Neil Counsell 24:05, Mark Cannon 41:55; Haigh Woodland - Carol Richardson 33:52, Sarah Brown 37:45, Michelle Livesey 38:37, Cheryl Dunleavy 39:27; Stretford - Steven Bate 24:12; Queen’s, Glasgow - Simon Entwistle 25:38, Jennifer Entwistle 33:24; Land’s End - Gillian Morris 27:35; Peel - Mark Jackson 21:15, Adrian Ashburn 21:47.