Only for the determined, the tough triple threat is open to all abilities and is one of the oldest triathlons in the North-West at the grand old age of 25.
Martin Cullen, Ged Turner, Stephen Horsman and Tim Taylor gathered their swim, bike and run gear and were ready for an early start at the leisure centre for the 500 metres long dip in the pool.
The swim stats were impressive. Cullen was in and out of the pool in 12mins 5secs, Taylor in 12:15, Horsman in 13:52 and Turner in 20:04 before all four leapt on the saddle for a 40K undulating cycle ride, which our intrepid representatives completed in the following times: Cullen – 1:31:15, Horsman – 1:20:58, Taylor – 1:31:36, Turner – 1:43:17.
Finally, the most brutal part arrived with the run. Horwich Triathlon is known as ‘The Race to the Pike’ because of its final leg – the 8.6K gruelling slog up to Rivington Pike and back down to the finish line to end in a blaze of cheers and glory. Horsman was up and down in an impressive 48:31, Cullen in 53:07, Taylor in 56:31 and Turner in 1:03:30.
Burnden’s ‘Tri-tastic’ stars put in a solid performance and Horsman was awarded second V60 for his fantastic efforts.
Another club quartet chose the Bluebell Trail Race for their challenge.
Despite the delicate name, the 10.3-mile race is a tough route through woodland, canal towpaths, trails and cobbled streets and including some big hills. The course treats racers to beautiful and scenic views of Yorkshire in return for scaling the very steep Trooper Lane and braving a crossing of the River Calder to finish.
Undertaking this challenge were Ian Pudge who was first to finish for the club in 1:34:27, Andy Dunleavy (1:35:52), Carolyn Edwards (2:25:26) and Cheryl Dunleavy (2:48:27).
The Astley Trail Series kicked off with its first race set in the picturesque grounds of Astley Hall, in Chorley, drawing runners from all over the North West. Chorley Athletic and Triathlon Club welcomed 10 Burndeners and first member home was Suleman Badat in 22:35 and second FV60 was awarded to Gwen Kinloch for her impressive time of 27:56 – also making her first Burnden lady. Lyndsay Darbyshire achieved second FV50 in 28:00 and Anne Ferguson was third V60 with 29:32.
Other results: Gareth Lowe 25:43, Lawrence McDonald 27:51, Vicki Hamer 28:52, Steven Bate 30:36, Andy Warburton 33:58, Anthony Fulop 42:33.
As part of his training for the upcoming Manchester 10K, Ian Mann took on the Aintree 10K on the famous race track and completed the two laps in 1:13:00.
Meanwhile, a week after completing the Three Peaks Challenge of scaling the mountains of Snowdon, Ben Nevis and Scafell, Samantha Sale was representing Greater Manchester at the British Athletics Inter-Counties Mountain Running Championships in Sedburgh.
In parkrun, leading the 313 runners at Leverhulme Park, Suleman Badat crossed in 19:19 – making him first overall parkrunner this week.
Gillian McGowan completed her parkrun at Bolton in 42:05, which qualified her for a Virtual King Charles Coronation 5K medal.
Third Lady at Bolton was Burnden’s own Francesca Caine in 24:35.
Other Bolton results: Mark Cannon 21:18, Michael Kermode 23:24, Lawrence McDonald 24:12, Michael Caine 26:01, Roy Tatlock 26:26, Ian Pudge 27:00, Melissa Husbands 27:33, Kathryn Berry 28:34, Richard Blake 30:13, Gillian Morris 30:42, Nicola Halsall 30:59, Philip Glassbrook 31:05, Alyson Cullen 33:19, Debra Hennessey 39:10, Nia Bell 41:48.
Results elsewhere: Hyndburn – Katherine Baines 26:24 (third female), Tom Stratton 22:23 (ninth); Heaton Park – Chris Greenall 26:41, Anthony Fulop 34:09; Newborough Forest –-Gareth Doherty 20:09, Linda O’Byrne 24:22; Burnley – Mark Jackson 20:55; Lyme Park – Mark Charlton 29:53; Whinlatter Forest – Andy Staveley 27:11, Shirley Staveley 28:13; Haigh Woodland – Gareth Lowe 21:31, Andy Dunleavy 21:42, David Smith 22:19, Steven Bate 26:06, Sarah Brown 33:38, Carol Richardson 33:53, Michelle Livesey 36:46, Cheryl Dunleavy 39:40; Stretford – Adrian Ashburb 21:19; Severn Bridge – Simon Marland 23:36, Sue Blackman 29:45; Cliffe Castle – Carolyn Edwards 30:31; Leavesdon Country – Robert Bell 30:55.