Major championship debutant, under-13 Burke, started by winning his 100m heat in a personal-best time and championship record (12.43secs), before bettering his time in the final, running 12.36 to win gold.
After a scant 90 minutes rest, Burke cruised through his 200m heat in a PB of 27.33, then crushed the competition in the final, shaving over a second off his best (25.77) and securing another championship record en route to his second gold of the day.
Coach Trevor Williams said of Burke’s achievements: “To run four PBs and two CR’s in his first major competition, ranking him first in the North West and fifth and ninth, respectively, in the UK is an amazing achievement.”
The PBs came thick and fast, as Sarah Lawman secured one in the 100m (14.28) and another in the 200m (30.67), while Abigail Ajet ran a PB in the 100m (14.31). The three U15 boys shone, too – Archie Parker picking up a 200m PB (28.75), Joel Ige securing a silver medal with a PB (23.28) in the 200m and Chidera Ajet coming away with a long jump silver and another 100m PB (12.25). U15 girl, Milly Green, reached the semi-finals in the 200m, where she ran a PB of 13.43, while U17 Alistair Sharrock had a PB in the 100m heats, before bettering his time again (11.20) on the way to sixth place in the final. He went on to place sixth in the 200m (22.70). Horwich’s final tally for the weekend was a staggering 15 PBs, two golds, two silvers and two Championship records.
The famous Ramsbottom Summer Mile took competitors on a lung-busting tour of Nuttall Park, and Harrier Marcus Taylor showed he can do speed as well as distance, stopping the clock in 5:47.10 to place second V50. George Butler (5:49.31) was hot on his heels in 39th.
Gary Porteous (6:15.44) continued his great run of results in the GP as he goes for a high overall age-category placing. He was third MV55 on the day. Lawrence Pinnell raced alongside his daughter, Heather, and they ran 7:17.48 and 9:26.45, respectively.
The following day, at Whittle Pike fell race in Rossendale, Dan Gilbert and James Titmuss battled it out over 5.5 miles (1,620 feet). Gilbert (51:06) just pipped Titmuss (51:42) for sixth place and victory in the MV45 category.
Haigh Woodland Parkrun doubled as the club’s 5km championships this year and Lindsey Brindle took the title at a canter, finishing in 21:24 at her 25th parkrun.
Gary Chadderton (22:59) was second Harrier home in his first ever parkrun, ahead of junior Leo Orrell, who clocked a PB of 23:05 to get on the club podium.