Eight members of Bury AC competed at the Manchester Half Marathon on Sunday with good results.

The cool, but bright conditions were excellent for running and four of the eight were rewarded with new personal bests. First home for the club was Hannah Lucas, whose time of 1hr 18mins 14secs is a new PB by 18 seconds and was fast enough to secure her 15th woman’s place.

Next finisher was Byron Edwards who crossed the line in 1:19:57, with Callum Gaunt close behind with 1:20:19. There was a PB of 1:22:05 for Jordan Harreld, with Paul Marshall the next finisher, clocking 1:23:11, a new lifetime best performance over the distance. Curtis Simpson was the next finisher, his 1:24:10 also a PB. He benefitted from training partner Martin Clark running the course with him. Next was John Watson, who recorded a respectable 1:25:38 and Julie Hill was the final finisher for Bury, recording 1:46:31.

Further afield, former club 800-metre star, Christie Cook, shrugged off a hamstring injury to run in the Oxford Half Marathon. She was delighted to navigate the course in 1:40:47.

Also travelling to compete was Irfan Qureshi who ran in the Run for All Yorkshire 10-mile race around the streets of York. He recorded 1:12:06 and claimed fourth V55 place.

The day before there was another double first for Bury in the Heaton Parkrun. Conor Wilkinson claimed his first win of the year over the course with 17:34, while Paul Johnston took fourth with 18:06 just ahead of partner Rachel Marshall, who notched up another victory with 19:03. Musician Katie Geelan took third place with 19:46 and young Lucy Dent was fourth finisher with 20:44, just outside her best for the course. There was a course PB for Ella Straffon-Finch who recorded 23:25 running the course with dad Matt.

There was further positive news for Bury AC when it was announced the club has been shortlisted by England Athletics for the North West Club of Year Award. The winner will be announced at a presentation evening at Blackburn’s Ewood Park stadium on November 3. Whether or not the club is the winner, this represents really positive news for all the club’s hardworking coaches, officials, volunteers and athletes.