It was a weekend of Club organized events for Buxton AC, with plenty of dazzling results produced at the Gardens 5K and the Litton Christmas Cracker fell race.

First up was the immensely popular Pavilion Gardens 5K, now in it’s seventh year, and numbers show no sign of waning with a huge field of 89 runners braving the wind and rain on Saturday morning. Fourteen of the Club’s beginner’s group, the Target 5K, having started from scratch a couple of months ago, achieved their goal of running in the event and completing the distance for the first time. Target 5K Leader Andrew Wearden proudly commented “It’s been an absolute privilege to see the group progress from being barely able to run more than a few yards to seeing them take part in our 5K race”.

Despite an early challenge from Rob White, there was never any real danger to Jason Brunnock’s clear win in a pretty sharpish time of 17 minutes and 24 seconds. White’s 17.56 gave him a wide margin for second place, well ahead of Noel Curtis of Pennine who, in third place, finished in 18.26. Emma Taylor of Congleton sped home in first female position in a cracking time of 20.19, while clubmate Joanne Moss was well over a minute and a half in front of the third finishing female in a time of 21.22. Third finisher in a very respectable 22.52 was Rhiannon Mogridge. Buxton Juniors Edward Hazelhurst (11) and Jonty Brown (9) were just 9 seconds apart, vying for the coveted first Junior spot, in 21.34 and 21.43 respectively. Matilda Reeves (11) of High Peak AC was first Junior Female home in 26.09.

White’s form didn’t desert him the following day at the Litton Christmas Cracker fell race, with a superb 4th overall finishing place from a field of 216, and 1st Male Over 40. A tad over 7½ miles with almost 1200 feet of ascent, and over some rocky limestone, the race takes in Tideswell Dale, the delightfully named Water-cum-Jolly Dale, Cressbrook Dale, a quick foray up to Wardlow Hay Cop trig point and back, returning via Tansley Dale to Litton. In astonishing form, Amy Clark, despite being a reluctant fell runner, finished as second lady overall, 28th in the race, demonstrating that there’s more to come from this talented athlete. Less than 20 seconds behind White was team-mate Ben Light, 6th overall, while Debbie Hope was second Buxton female home and 3rd Female Vet 40. Some 14 Buxton AC runners took part with excellent results, and credit goes to Sue and Nigel Jeff who, as Race Directors, organized a fantastic event, with some of the profits being donated to Litton village. Dark Peak Fell Club claimed the honours in both the men’s and ladies’ races, with Max Wainwright 1st Male and Sally Fawcett 1st Female.

Elsewhere, Janet Taylor took part in the Stockport 10 mile road race, finishing in 79.15, while Martin Willey was 2nd Male Vet Over 70 at the Bolsover 10K in 55.50.