IT WAS a busy weekend for Bury AC captain Byron Edwards who won the Heaton Park parkrun on Saturday then enjoyed a top five finish in his age group at the Four Villages half marathon the following day.

Bury AC were once again well represented at the weekly race in what was a quiet weekend of competition for the club – but not for Edwards.

The club captain clocked 16 minutes 46 seconds to cross the line first for is 18th in the event – a perfect warm-up for the half marathon 24 hours later.

Paul Johnston took sixth place in 17:58, just four seconds outside his best performance for the 5k course.

There was a one-two-three for the Bury AC women where Sarah Thomas was once again in unbeatable form.

Thomas set a scorching new best of 18:39 seconds, notching up her 45th victory in the process. Hannah Price took the runners-up position in 18:48 – just five seconds outside her best – while Nicola Ryan took third in a new personal best of 20:15.

The other Bury finishers included young Lucy Hill (22:10), women’s team captain Lizzi Cheshire (22:51), Julie Hill (a new best of 23:17) and Susan Wheeldon (23:28).

The previous weekend Josh Birmingham ran out as winner in the Stretford Parkrun. Bury’s most improved athlete of 2019 continued his improvement in setting a new best time of 15:52, the 20th fastest ever on the course. That was no mean achievement, given the class of athletes who turn out for the fast course around Longford Park.

On Sunday, Edwards competed in the Four Villages half marathon. The course started and finished in Helsby and followed a circuitous route through the villages of Dunham on the Hill, Mouldsworth and Manley.

Edwards finished in 34th place overall in a time of 1 hour 14 minutes 47 seconds which was good enough for fifth place in his age category.

It promises to be a busier weekend for Bury athletes. The North of England Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday in Bedale. The following day there are indoor meetings at Sportcity and at Sheffield.