Comprising a circular route around Holy Island, with a climb up Holyhead Mountain at 23 miles, it’s not for the faint-hearted, but Riley gave it her all and completed her epic challenge in 7hrs 26secs.
She said: “Fantastic organisation, all sustainable…recycled plastic t-shirt and a found wood coaster instead of a medal.
“Ranked number one in the UK in Runner’s World, it may be its last one as the organisers are stepping down. It is a not-for-profit race and proceeds go to the RNLI.”
High winds curtailed a summit reach but it was still a steep climb up and around the mountain and Riley received some welcome support from fellow Burndener, Kath Berry, who completed this part of the challenge with her friend.
Riley added: “The threatened storm passed over earlier than expected – we had a few drops of rain in the first 20 minutes and the sun came out in the afternoon.
“Kath and Andrew Berry came to support and Kath came with me over the mountain. That’s Burnden support above and beyond!”
With the Gisburn races billed as having ‘simply the best forestry trails across the whole Pennines’ and described as ‘a cross between sasquatch country and fairytale-esque woodlands’, it was set up to be a great race for four Burnden runners this week.
The races, organised by Pennine Trails, include the 10k and half-marathon distances for runners to get their feet into and, as described, are a captivating set of woodland tracks, paths and trails.
Ideal for first time runners and perfect for encouraging runners to fall in love with the sport again, the route starts from the Gisburn Forest Hub before navigating ‘the eight’ – a twisting bike trail, which is specially opened for the races.
Stocks Reservoir Bridge makes an appearance on the course before it opens out to the wide woodland forest tracks, greeting the Dale Head loop and enjoying a fantastic descent down to the river and a fast two-mile finish.
Sarah Brown chose the 10k route, finishing in 1:25:32 and a further three Burndeners took on the half marathon. Verity Harrison finished first of the ladies in 2:01:33, followed by Melissa Husbands, in 2:35:25, and Carolyn Edwards, in 3:11:51.
Parkruns this week were varied as usual for Burnden members and several locations were visited along with Bolton’s Leverhulme Park.
Heaton Park saw Chris Worthington finish in 22:48, Chris Greenall, in 25:40, and Gayle Gerrard, in 26:18.
Worsley Woods welcomed Mark Jackson to fly the flag for Burnden and he finished in 24:02.
Burnley parkrun bowed to Mark Butler as he was through in 31:57 and Glossop gave way for Tony Fulop as he finished as one of the 76 in 35:08.
Stretford saw Steven Bate stretch his running legs in 24:49 and the Marlands were at Maryport Prom, where Simon crossed in 23:15 and Sue in 31:11.
In Bolton, it was Tom Stratton at the top of the parkrun stratosphere as he finished third overall and first Burnden male in 20:53. Mark Whittington was seconds behind in 20:57 and claimed fifth overall and first Burnden female was Katherine Baines, who claimed third overall female in 23:58.
Other results: Ian Pudge 22:09, Stephen Horsman 23:35, Andy Dunleavy 23:43, Lawrence McDonald 24:03, Martin Cullen 24:04, Andrew Crawford 24:45, Paul Drew 25:15, Adrian Ashburn 25:38, Vicki Hamer 26:11, Lyall Mew 28:44, Gillian Morris 30:06, Paul Johnson 30:26, Emma Walker 30:28, Gareth Doherty 30:53, Maggie Slamin 31:45, Philip Glassbrook 32:02, Nicola Halsall 32:34, Linda Doherty 32:35, Jenni Partington 32:50, Nia Bell 33:50, Jocelyn Chadderton 36:12, Cheryl Dunleavy 39:09, Debra Hennessey 39:51, Ian Mann 40:25, Gareth Lowe 40:27.