BURNDEN'S Sarah Watton continued her good form as she led home a strong ladies trio at the Rivington Trail half marathon.

Her time of 1hr 48mins 42secs – only 90 seconds behind the first woman home – earned her third place in the ladies' race and a creditable 35th out of 251 finishers.

Joining Watton was Lyndsay Darbyshire (1:55:21), who was first V50, and Anne Ferguson (1:56:28), who finished as first V60 – both claiming category victories for the second weekend in succession.

Don Nichol was first male home for Burnden in an excellent time of 1:59:14 and was second in the V60 category.

Other results: Dave Smith 2:04:21, Stephen McCann 2:04:58, Steven Bate 2:06:20, Sara Ellen 2:18:45.

In another local race, the Team Deane 10k, which takes in the trails and paths of Deane and Lostock, Burnden were again well represented in this charity race raising funds for Bolton Hospice in memory of Alison Brady. 

Results: Kath Berry 56:36, Jen Forkin 1:16:06, Nicola Hardy 1:16:08, Emma Sleith 1:27:39, Gillian McGowan 1:54:11.

Andy and Cheryl Dunleavy were on their travels again, this time taking part in the Goyt Valley 10k trail race in Tameside.

Andy was second V60 in a time of 46:26, while Emma came home in 1:20:42.

Sunday was the day for the longer distance runners to shine at the Chester Marathon and Mark Jackson completed his 20th marathon and his quickest yet.

He brought home the Burnden group in a personal-best time of 3:50:09.

Meanwhile, Sharon Drew started and finished her first marathon in a time of 4:58:57.

Other results: Mumtaz Patel 3:56:22, Emma Walker 4:28:25, Debra Hennessey 5:09:11.

Parkrun travellers this week included Aidy Ashburn who recorded a course best at Heaton Park in a time of 21:17.

Gayle Gerrard also had a successful run on the same course, finishing in 24:09.

Serial travellers Simon Marland (23:12) and Sue Blackman (38:46) ran the Eastville Park event in Bristol.