Burnden Road Runners members were out in force as Quays Running Club held their popular five-miler around the beautiful Blackleach Country Park. And there were great times to be proud of for the many Burndeners who turned out to compete in the Central Lancs Grand Prix race. A double visit to the out-and-back section of the course is always a challenge, but it was Suleman Badat who was first Burndener home for the second year in a row in a super time of 31mins 52secs, which gave him the second MV45 title.
Following Badat was Paul Duke in 33:51 and Mark Cannon rounded up the trio in 35:14 and took second MV60. The top three ladies for Burnden were Gwen Kinloch, in 37:22 - crowned first FV60, Lyndsay Darbyshire in 38:01 - taking first FV55 and Gayle Gerrard in 40:18 - claiming third FV50. Vets were winning everywhere with newcomer Holly Smith making a splash into second senior with 43:20, and Katie Walsh was third senior in 43:36.
Vicki Hamer took first FV35 in 40:35 and Gayle Gerrard’s time gave her third FV50. Anne Ferguson came out on top for the FV65 as she crossed the line in 40:21. For the men, Andrew Crawford sailed into second MV40 with 36:19 and Patrick Filio took third in 39:58.
Ed Ashton was third MV60 with 36:45 and Simon Marland took second MV65, with 39:18. The Wigan 10K at Mesnes Park was no match for five Burndeners as Michael Kermode was again emulating the Flash as he sped round the course in 39:47 - an improvement from his 2023 time of 42:29. Kris Worsley wa.