CLUB NEWS: Taylor takes lake run victory

Sunday 22nd January saw the Bury winter training group assemble at Entwistle reservoir, high in the hills above the town, for a 5k run challenge around the perimeter of the lake.

Bury have used this area for training two years go, when Danny Taylor won the event and John Burston and Matthew Turnbull were joint second.

This year, the day was overcast and the temperature was 1c with snow flurries in the air, as the 7 runners and Fifi the dog lined up for the start.

Leader of the series, Adam Turnball, was off first, followed at 30 secs by Kris Ramsden. Kaysar Mohammadi followed Kris and Danny Taylor was fourth off. Eryk Motala went next and John Burston followed him, with Adam Taylor last man to start.

This area is always a popular place for walkers runners and general recreation, but it was surprising that in mid winter and inclement weather, that there should be so many people around the lakes perimeter path, which was wet and muddy in parts.

However, the Bury team members battled through and all finished – but with a few surprises from 2 years ago, and a lot of improvements.

The actual distance is quoted in various places as between 4.2K and 4.8K, and the local runners all state that it is 5k – so you decide oneself.

After resident timekeeper Linda Turnbull had checked everybody back in and corrected the times the result was as follows.

7th place John Burston in 25mins 28 secs, Eryk was 6th in 24mins 17 secs, Adam Taylor, doing his first event this year in the series, did a very good 21 mins 20 secs, 4th was Kaysar, showing a remarkable improvement over his last 2 runs with a time of 21 mins and 11 secs.

3rd was Kris Ramsden, again improving his running ability with a 19 min 13 sec time and 2nd was series leader Adam Turnbull, putting in another excellent time for a 15 year old, with 18 mins 54 secs.

But this week the spotlight was on Danny Taylor, who proved that the longer distances are better for his running, as he defended his title around the lake with a time of 18 mins 49 secs, just 5 secs clear of Adam, and first place on the day again.

The series now looks like this; Adam is still in front now by 2 points, with Kris 2nd and Kaysor 3rd, Danny’s 10 points today moved him up to 5th, 1 point behind Eryk.

With the 2 mile time trial to come it is very close, and there may just be another event added at the end depending on the scores.

John Burston, the Bury coach, was very pleased with the turn out and improvements, and puts it down to the same people attending the Monday evening circuits sessions run by John over the last 13 weeks since the season ended.

With 5 more circuit sessions booked and more outdoor training before the season starts, Bury are looking forward to a fit and motivated squad for the coming season.