Caines lead way for Burnden over testing Ironman course
It was little surprise there was a heavy Burnden Road Runners presence at Bolton's ultimate challenge last weekend - both the big Ironman 70.3 and it's baby cousin, the Night Run 5K.
Both events are accompanied by a brilliant Bolton atmosphere and represent the best of running and triathlon.
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Road Runners under their 2024 affiliated title of 'Burnden Tri' turned out in their masses to support the nine athletes competing in the Bolton 70.3 Ironman.
The event was reduced to a half distance in 2024 which has encouraged more people to take part and create an inclusive, but challenging, race covering Leigh, Wigan and Bolton.
The 6.15am start at Pennington Flash commences the 1.2m open-water swim, followed by 56 miles of cycling which brings the competitors back to Queens Park in Bolton for a tough undulating half-marathon run.
First over the line in the male category was Burnden's Mike Caine 5hrs 33mins 7secs (36:34/2:55:19/1:48:27), coming 18th in his age category and 356th overall. He shaved 24 minutes off his 2024 time and achieved a personal best.
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The club's first and only lady competitor was Mike's daughter Francesca Caine in 6:29:57 (42:49/3:32:25/2:01:41). She also came 18th in her age category and 813th overall, knocking 30 minutes off her PB.
Other results: Martin Fielding 5:39:34 (42:42/2:58:56/1:48:32), Lyall Mew 5:50:24 (43:25/2:59:17/1:56:48), Steve Horsman 6:00:32 (46:14/3:02:42/1:57:44), Gareth Doherty 6:09:46 (47:41/3:08:34/1:58:23), Martin Cullen 7:05:17 (46:14/3:40:36/2:19:46), Stephen Riddle 7:23:09 (32:12/3:47:23/2:36:32), Simon Entwistle 7:34:26 (46:36/3:43:51/2:42:27).
Ironman's slightly kinder challenge was under way on the Friday before the big event with almost 1,000 runners waiting to set off in waves on Le Mans Crescent.
Two offers - a 5K and a 10K - take runners around and out of Bolton town centre and into Queens Park for a gentle ramble before looping back around and on to the mighty red carpet for a true Ironman finish.
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In the 10K, first home was Gary Avison in 40:15 followed by Ryan Moore, in 42:31, and Steven Walton, in 43:33.
First three ladies were Linda Doherty, in 51:22, Sandra Caine (59:01) and Natasha Clarke (59:34).
Other results: Rick Winnard 56:02, Rob Moran-Hetherington 57:55, Richard Blake 59:15, Amy Smith 1:01:03, Katie Walsh 1:07:28, Jennifer Entwistle 1:10:02, Jeanette Robinson 1:10:02.
First home in the 5K was Mark Cannon in 20:16 followed by John Simms, in 21:09, and Neil Counsell (21:55). First three ladies were Gayle Gerrard (23:43), Susan Sumner (24:42) and Louise Righini (26:29).
Other results: Martin Whitehead 21:56, Paul Johnson 22:07, Steven Walsh 25:07, Ivan Brown 28:08, Lisa Berry 29:01, Nicola Halsall 29:43, Carol Richardson 30:54, Jocelyn Chadderton 31:01, Kathryn Berry 31:02, Stephen Holt 31:03, Bernie Jones 32:22, Rebecca Fisher 33:12, Debra Hennessey 34:55, Tony Fulop 35:12, Ian Mann 39:21, Suzanne Walmsley 59:09.
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It was back to the classics for Burnden this week as a contingent took on track and field events in Manchester.
Wednesday saw the 16th Joe Moran Memorial Veteran Track and Field Meeting hosted by Manchester Harriers at the SportCity Stadium.
Paul Christie, former chair and avid sprint runner, is an enthusiastic ambassador for this event and picked up two of the nine total medals. He claimed gold in the 400m with his time of 1:19.7 and gold in the 800m with 2:58.9.
Steve Nolan took two golds in the 800m with 2:44.9 and in the 1500m with 6:03.5.
Mumtaz Patel took home two bronze medals for the 400m (1:26) and the 800m (3:02). In the field events, it was the javelin up first and Patel took a further bronze medal with her throw of 6.26m. Tom Stratton took two medals home - one in the 1500m with 5:18.6 and a javelin throw of 25.31m.
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Burnden brought home several Vet winners from the annual Leo Pollard Memorial Fell Race, organised by Lostock AC and part of the Horwich Festival of Racing.
Named in honour of Lostock's late president, Leo Pollard - an accomplished fell runner and climber - the race is a tough and challenging adventure in the hills.
Beginning at the Top Barn in Rivington, runners faced a steep climb up to the Pike and then circulate both Rivington and Smithills moor - taking in Brown Hill and Crooked Edge Hill to reach the Two Lads monument. Circling again around Holden's Plantation and Smithills Shooting Hut, it is another climb almost to the Mast before traversing back across Rivington Moor in stunning approach to the Pike. Racers then retrace their steps to finish the seven-mile race back at the starting point.
Andrew Horrocs was first Burndener home in 44:23 followed by Paul Duke, in 47:58, and Michael Kermode, in 51:35. Anne Ferguson was first Burnden lady and first FV65 in 57:24 and Lyndsay Darbyshire brought third FV55 and second Burnden lady in 1:00:48. Jane Forrest claimed first FV60, in 1:00:53, and Marie Parkinson took second FV60, in 1:05:10.
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Other results: Phil Fryer 52:15, Andy Staveley 53:36, Jake Quinn 54:02, Keith Thomas 57:58, Marcus Hamer 58:03, Dean Covill 59:22, Andy Warburton 1:02:48, Colm O'Brien 1:02:51, Kathryn Baron 1:06:12, Louise Righini 1:09:38, Steve Holt 1:12:49, Nia Bell 1:18:08.
Paul Cox was out for another half-marathon, choosing one of 'It's Grim Up North' canal events.
A variety of distances are on offer at the IGUN races and Cox's half-marathon distance took him along the tranquil Leeds to Liverpool Canal to Kirkstall and back again. He crossed the line in 1:57:00.
Diane and Amy Smith were in Wales this week to compete at the Cardiff Hyrox Doubles.
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Described as 'the world series of fitness racing', this brutal training event is super popular all over the UK.
With supporters providing an electrifying atmosphere throughout, the sport of Hyrox incorporates cardio and strength, racing 1km between eight activities - SkiErg, Sled Push, Sled Pull, Burpee Broad Jumps, Rowing, Farmers Carry, Sandbag Lunges and Wall Balls.
The mother-daughter duo smashed this terrifying event in 1:58:29.
There were just two Burndeners at the Astley Park Trail this week as the packed race calendar presented other commitments.
Located around the picturesque grounds of Astley Hall, in Chorley, this week's finishers were Gayle Gerrard, in 30:53, and Chris Greenall, in 34:14.
Edgworth Reservoir 10K welcomed just the one Burndener , Justin Bones, to its wet and muddy race. The picturesque, yet challenging, route is a whistle-stop tour around two of the countryside's most beautiful reservoirs - Wayoh and Entwistle.
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