On Thursday the 4th of October, the annual event that captivates the best cross country running from schools around England started in the 1st round of the English Schools Cross Country Cup took place at Spinkhill, Sheffield.  Buxton AC hosted 13 athletes from 4 different local secondary schools all representing their schools and trying to reach the next round of this prestigious event.

Inspired by 2 wins overall from Will Longden and Lucy Bednall both Intermediate runners – the Buxton AC juniors really showed their form and wowed the opposition!

The Junior Girls’ had 4 Buxton AC representatives with Grace Longden leading the group in a top ten – 7th position, followed by Eve Jones who ran brilliantly and finished in 35th closely pursued by Chloe Knox who finish 42nd respectively. The chapel team finished 5th in this specific category.

Two of the junior boys were running in the Chapel colours of Red and white with Ben Hawtin claiming a top ten finish and Joseph Thorogood who finished 57 out of a very strong field. The Junior boys Chapel team finished 9th overall.  Running for Buxton Community School were Ed Hazelhurst who finished in 16th followed by team mate Luke Guise who finished 35th resulting in a team finish of 8th overall.

The Intermediate girls brought a bitter sweet moment for Lucy Bednall from Abbotsholme who finished as queen of the race in 1st position and only just missing out on a next round by 4 team places. Buxton Community School had Lauren Wilshaw leading the team and finishing just outside the podium in 4th – 1st Year 9,  followed by Abbie Fryer Winder who finished 28th and Ava Hazelhurst who finished 35th out of a very strong field. The Community School team finished 7th.

Buxton AC’s William Longden fired his Chapel Team through to the second round of the regionals finishing 1st and Chapel team finishing in 3rd overall. Running for Lady Manners, Buxton’s Dougie Wilson finished 49th and his school finishing 10th overall.

So the eyes of school cross country turns to Liz Milne’s Chapel Team who hope to make it three appearances in the Final in 3 consecutive years. And then also to the individual schools to see what the fantastic Buxton AC Juniors can do on the regional stage and potentially brake through into the Derbyshire team.

Photo: Start of the Intermediate girls race with Lucy Bednall, Lauren Wilshaw, Abbie Fryer-Winder and Amy Whelan representing Abbots Holme, BCS and Chapel HS. Credit to Mandy Tolley for photo.