A couple of short but fierce local fell races proved irresistible to hardy Buxton AC athletes this past weekend.

First up was the legendary Lantern Pike race, a five miler with over a thousand feet of climbing, held out of Hayfield and taking the runners on the stiff climb to the summit of the Pike. The race has another claim to fame in that the course record, set in 1977 by Ricky Wilde in a time of 29 minutes and 12 seconds, is said to b the oldest unbroken fell race record in the whole of the UK. The winner in 2019 was Lloyd Taggart, once a member of Buxton AC and now running for Manx Fell Runners, in a very respectable time of 35.57. Talented Buxton AC Junior Stu Diamond was third overall from the field of well over 100, in a super time of 38.22, while Pete Bailey finished in 40^th position (48.23) and Bev Golden (100^th) in 64.04.

A little closer to home was the Chelmorton Chase, of similar distance and ascent (5 miles and over 1K feet of climb), starting in the pretty Peak District village and taking in the tough climb up to Chelmorton Low. A further incentive to local Clubs was the generous cash prize of £100 to the first team home. Very proudly, Buxton AC were that team! Jake Fearn, running tremendously well this season, led the entire 50 strong field home in a cracking time of 30.04, while Rob Lloyd was 9^th in 34.56, David Fryer-Winder 10^th in 35.06, Richard Bouglas 11^th in 35.44, Nigel Jeff 16^th in 37.25, Mark Halsey 24^th in 39.57, Pete Bailey 28^th in 41.05. The ladies were represented by Samantha Willis (30^th overall and 4^th lady, 2^nd FV40 in 41.16), Heather Fryer-Winder (48^th in 47.42) and Bev Golden (52^nd in 49.30).

The English Fell Championships series drew to a close with a final fixture held out of Ilam, so not far for Buxton AC competitors to travel. Both Jason Brunnock and Tania Wilson have competed in all six races this year, giving both the prestigious Club Championship trophies. Brunnock is the proud recipient of the Chairman’s Trophy while Wilson is delighted to have won The Bradley Trophy, named after Club legend and stalwart, Jim Bradley.

The Run Macc Fest, a festival of races, was held from Macclesfield Sports Centre on Sunday, with a fun run, 5K, 10K and Half Marathon. Buxton athletes took part in the latter two, and personal best times were achieved by a couple of 10K’ers, along with a couple of prizes for Veteran category placings in both the 10K and Half Marathon. Charlie Narejko, continuing her amazing ever-improving season, ran under the hour for the first time, finishing in 107^th place from a field of 250 in 57.45, while Jennie Light also ran a great PB time of 62.38 (161^st). Dan Feely, returning to something of his old excellent form post injury, finished in 20^th in 48.38 and took the 2^nd Male Vet 55 prize. Cheryl Nolan, returning after a spell of injury, ran well to finish in 58.25 (116^th). At the Half Marathon, Sheila Bradley finished in 213^th place in 1.51.13, second Female Vet 60 from a field of over 500.

Ben Light, another returnee after recent injury, showed a flicker of his soon-to-return form by finishing in a very creditable 6^th place at the Macclesfield Parkrun, in 20.17, while Justin Holmes finished in 72^nd place in 26.30.