On a chilly but thankfully bright & dry Saturday morning, Buxton AC’s popular Pavilion Gardens 5K race attracted a large contingent from within the Club itself, with 19 Club Members taking part. True to his recent sparkling form, Jason Brunnock took an early lead and easily kept it for the entire three laps of the 5K distance, and was rewarded with a finishing time just seconds short of his personal best, coming home in 17 minutes and 36 seconds. A cracking way to finish the 2019 season.

Visitor to the area, Neil Price of Ogmore Phoenix Runners, was second home in 19.34, while David Reeves of Buxton claimed third position and 1st Male Vet 45 in 20.01.

Returning from injury and showing there’s more to come as his fitness returns was Steve Watson, finishing in 4th spot overall, in 20.52 and 1st Male Vet 55.

First female home was unattached Rhiannon Mogridge in 22.47, 9th overall, while Buxton’s Clare Holdcroft took 1st Female Vet 45, 2nd female home in 23.57. Sian Price of Ogmore Pheonix Runners was 3rd female home, 13th overall in 24.37.

The eternally youthful, in running terms, Alan Talbot, was 1st Male Vet 70 home, 10th overall in 23.54.

Jasper Reeves, aged 10, was first Junior Male home in 25.18, 18th overall, while sister Mathilda was first Junior Female home, 26th in 26.53. Both are Buxton AC Juniors. Mention must be made of six year old Morven Wrate who completed all three laps, and her time was a superb 32.26 – a talent to watch for in the future!

A good turnout for the final race of 2019.

Elle Twentyman, running on tired legs and facing strong winds and icy roads, didn’t let the brutal conditions affect her performance at the Bolsover 10K on Sunday, taking the impressive 2nd Female placing, 36th overall from a field of well over 700 runners and in a superb time of 38 minutes and 57 seconds.

Shaun Coram, meanwhile, travelled to Stockport to take part in the multi-terrain and undulating 10 mile race, and was rewarded with a speedy 76 minutes and 32 seconds, 266th from a field of just short of 1,000.

Kev Mottram was the only Buxton runner “crackers” enough to take part in the Staffs Moorlands Christmas Cracker last weekend, but represented the Club well by finishing in 1.17.15, 40th from a field of over 150 runners.