There was bling galore at the Club’s Awards and Presentation night last Saturday, when the past year’s achievements and hard work were fittingly acknowledged and rewarded.
The overall Club Champions with the highest points scored from a total of 70 were Amy Wadsworth (an outstanding 70) and Rob White (an equally fantastic 69). Sam Willis and Ben Light were second overall, while Katie Rolfe and Jon Sewell took third placings. In the Veteran category, Tania Wilson and Terry Fowler claimed the trophies, while Kate Ledin and Pete Bailey took home the Supervet trophies.
On the fells, Jason Brunnock’s star has shone brightly this past year and his winning of the Overall Fell Champion (Male) is testament to his efforts. Likewise, Jo Bednall returned to her usual excellent form after injury the previous year, winning her the Overall Fell Champion (Female). Nick Jones and Sue Jeff were the Veteran winners in the category. The Fell Series Grand Slam category rewards the most prolific fell racer, and no-one more appropriate should win this but Pete Bailey, who took part in 15 out of 15 races.
This year two new trophies have been awarded – the Chairman’s Trophy and the Bradley Trophy – for the Club winner of the English Fell Running Championships. Jason Brunnock was presented with the Bradley Trophy, while Tania Wilson claimed the Chairman’s Trophy. The trophies were hand-crafted by Club Member Nigel Jeff, and are truly unique mementos made from local limestone and metal. The Bradley trophy is in memory of the late Jim Bradley, founder member and lifetime President of the Club.
Nick Jones was the Overall Ultra Distance Male Champion, while Martin Ward was Veteran winner in the same category.
On the roads, covering distances from 5K to the marathon, Kate Ledin was 1st Female Overall, Amy Wadsworth 2nd and Katie Rolfe 3rd. Rob White took the men’s trophy, with Alan Talbot 2nd and Jon Sewell 3rd.
The highlight of Amy Wadsworth’s year must have surely been when she broke a 30 year old Club Record for the 10K distance, in a fantastic 37.27. A true champion.
Alan Talbot’s name cropped up numerous times in the ceremony, not only for breaking every single Club road record in the Veteran 70 category – 5K, 5m, 10K, 10m, half marathon, 20m and marathon, but also for being awarded Most Improved Male in the Club. Likewise, Charlie Narejko has had an outstanding year and her award of Most Improved Female is very well deserved. Best Newcomers were Ian Drayton and Jennie Light, while Jenny Cropper was presented with the Target 5K Group award.
Last but not least was the Services to the Club award, this year presented to Sheila Bradley who accepted the trophy and beautiful hamper on behalf of herself and her late husband Jim Bradley.
Other news …..
The Baslow Bolt, a new fell race of some 12K and covering 400 metres of climbing, attracted 230 runners last weekend, and Buxton AC sent a contingent of eight to test out the route. Starting in the grounds of St Anne’s Church, the runners headed up the first of two tough climbs, traversing the ridge of Bank Wood before returning to the River Derwent, and once again heading uphill to take in Baslow Ridge, finishing with a storming downhill back to the village. Rob White was not only first Club runner home, but claimed first Male Vet 40 overall and 5th placing, in a cracking 55.06. Jason Bennett was close behind in 11th place in 55.47. Tania Wilson was first Club female home in 69th place, second Female Vet 50 and in 69.55, while Sheila Bradley was second Female Vet 60 in 146th place, in a time of 82.53. 230 ran.
Six Buxtonians ran in the Wilmslow Festive 10K, and recent joiner to the Club Elle Twentyman showed a clean pair of heels to her team mates by coming home in 10th female place, in an outstanding time of 37.36, 147th overall from a huge field of over 4,000 runners. Samantha Willis ran a personal best time of 43.35 and was 6th FV40, while Neil Pearsons finished in 44.56, Pete Bailey 45.12 and George Webb 52.11. Sadly, Jon Sewell retired due to injury.
Seven Buxton AC runners took part in the nearby Bakewell Parkrun last weekend, and one of the Club’s immensely talented Juniors, Jonty Brown (age 10), led the way by finishing well ahead of his senior Clubmates in 21.51, 19th overall from a field of 158. Alan Talbot was next up in 23.15 (34th), Kate Brown 25.02 (50th), Michael Abrahams 29.46 (97th), Mary Rooney ran a personal best of 30.54 (108th) as did Martin Hughes 31.36 (117th).
Two forthcoming Club races for your diary – the Litton Christmas Cracker fell race on Sunday 8th December and the ever popular – free – Pavilion Gardens 5K on Saturday 14th December. For more details, see buxtonac.org.uk.