Race report by Mel:
RACE REPORT: BEYOND MANCHESTER 55K ULTRA
First ultra, done in 6h 10mins. And surprisingly? I felt strong.
Running 55K through the trails of Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Bury and Radcliffe was no small feat—especially in the rising heat. It was tough, I took a tumble (classic fatigue moment), but I kept moving well and finished feeling like I had more in the tank.
The real win? I was able to jump on the bike the next day and cruise through an 85K ride as active recovery. No DOMS, no breakdown—just a bit of tiredness and a lot of gratitude for my body.
This is exactly why I bang on about consistency and strength training. I didn’t wing this. I’ve built a solid foundation over time—lifting, running smart, fuelling properly, and showing up week in, week out. Not perfect, but consistent.
Your body is capable of amazing things when you treat it well.
Bolton Parkrun George Iveson 28:56 Rachel Walker 33:11 Guernsey Parkrun Ian Burns 29:18 Nobles Parkrun Linda Hardman 39:56 Worden Parkrun Tony Marlow 22:37 Rachel Hancock 24:42 (1st in age category and Worden PB)
Race report by Jo: Our 6th Parkrun Championships fixture took us to our very own Haigh Hall, where 28 Lostockers raced around thick mud that felt more like January than June. Haigh being Haigh, the route gave us its usual mix of hills, more hills, and that one section where you’re convinced the ground is ... Parkrun Championship Haigh Hall
Race report by Josie: On Saturday, I travelled to the beautiful village of Buttermere in the Western Lake District to run The Buttermere Sailbeck Fell Race. A tough 15km (9.3mi)/ 1,315m (4314ft) mountain horseshoe over two distinct ridgelines. Although a relatively short fell race (for me), a lot of elevation is packed into the distance ... Buttermere Sailbeck Fell Race 2026