Two Burnden Road Runners were on the marathon trail last weekend and it was very different courses that awaited them both.

Bernie Jones was taking on the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in memory of her beloved mum, and to raise funds to support those living with Motor Neurone Disease. Supported by Emma Walker, running part of the course, and Jen and Simon Entwistle on the sidelines, Jones thanked all Burndeners for their support after a fantastic finishing time of 4hrs 30mins 41secs. Motor Neurone Disease Association will receive more than £1,000 thanks to her amazing achievement.

Excalibur was the choice of mega-marathoner, Mark Jackson - this being his third time on the course. With more than 5,500 feet of elevation, it’s a hard slog and Jackson admitted it is the toughest of the 31 marathons he has completed. The route traverses the stunning Clywdian range, in North Wales, and Jackson finished in 6:52:04.

Sarah and Steve Walton also headed to Wales for their challenge last week, choosing the Snowdonia Half Marathon. Steve scaled the summit in 2:04:00 and Sarah in 2:30:00.

Cheese was the word for Ally Marland and Steven Bate as they were awarded with a slab at the Blacksticks Blue 10K. Known affectionately by some as the ‘cheese race’ when it featured on the Burnden Club Championship, the course is around the home of the blue cheese. Marlanmd and Bate finished in times of 54:25 and 60:11, respectively.

In Cheshire, a pair of Burndeners were out and back in super swift times as they tackled the Alderley Edge Bypass 10K.

Michael Kermode and Aidy Ashburn were across the line in top times of 41:25 and 48:23, respectively.

Up to their waist in water was Burnden’s Tony Fulop, who represented the club at the Bluebell 10K Yarrow River Splash. The route is a scenic woodland trail, which involves a splash across some pretty deep parts of the Yarrow. Fulop was home and wet in 1:35:06.

The Pittaway Beverley 10K is based in East Yorkshire and, starting from Beverley Minster, treats runners to a run through the glorious Westwood Common Land with great crowd support.

Rich Burnett flew the flag for Burnden and collected a PB of 54:50 in hot conditions.

The Marlands were away for parkrun this week and managed to scoop not one, but two results as Finland held an extra parkrun for Ascension Day.

Marking an incredible 400th parkrun for Simon, Tokoinranta Parkrun, in Helsinki, saw him finish in 25:10 and Sue in 35:29. Days later Simon finished Tampere Parkrun in 24:21 and Sue in 35:43.