Two Club events dominate the results this week and, at the risk of sounding repetitive, more Club records were broken by talented Buxton AC athletes, with both events being the brainchild of Club stalwart and legend, Jim Bradley.
At the Club Championship “Dream On” Mile race, a twice yearly event around a two lap course in the Pavilion Gardens, Junior Sam Soles claimed two main records in the second of the two mile events. His first, and most auspicious, was the overall Senior Male record which has stood for the past three years at 4 minutes and 44 seconds. Soles managed to skim off an all important second, finishing in a truly magnificent 4.43. This incredible time also gave him the Male Under 17 Club record, already held by Soles. At the age of 16, there is a promising future for this gifted Junior. Will Longden, another talented youngster, finished second in 4.57, while on-form Senior Jake Fearn claimed third spot in 4.58.
The Junior Girls didn’t disappoint, taking the first four female finishing positions. Ellie Wilson ran a stonking 5.38, while Lucy Bednall was close behind in 5.42, and both Sienna Phillips and Amy Whelan finished in 6 minutes exactly. Rebecca Day was first Senior Female home in a creditable 6.27.
Terry Fowler, finishing in 5.45 was the Most Improved Senior Male runner, taking 9 seconds from his April time. Both Jennie Light and Julie Bettley were the Most Improved Senior Females by a huge minute and 11 seconds each.
At the first of the mile races, the Juniors started as they meant to go on, with Jonty Brown taking top ranking in a speedy time of 6.15, while second overall was Most Improved Junior Tommy Goulding in 6.38, knocking off a massive 40 seconds from his April time.
For the Girls, Erin Colebrook was 5th overall and 1st Junior Female in 6.48, with Eadon Piggott racing home in 7.05 (15 seconds faster). Seven year old Evie Willis smashed a massive 53 seconds from her April time, finishing in 8.17.
Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, perfect conditions for the monthly Pavilion Gardens 5K. Almost 60 runners took advantage of the weather, and were rewarded with some very creditable finishing times. First home was Buxton’s Chris Rushworth, with a very clear lead after an early tussle, in 18.48, with fellow Club member Jon Sewell next up in 19.26, first Male Vet 45. Buxton Junior Jonty Brown was a fantastic fifth overall in 21.25. Unattached Amy Davenport was a superb 8th overall in 21.34. Katie Rolfe, for Buxton, was second female home, first Vet 40 in a personal best time of 22.08. Heather Wilshaw, meanwhile, was first Buxton Junior Female home, 12th overall in 22.32.
Nick Jones recently took part in the gruelling Ultra Tour Monte Rose in Switzerland, a 4-stage race covering 170 kilometres over 4 days, and with a colossal 11,300 metres of climb. The route takes in rocky technical terrain, glaciers and huge climbs. At the two day point, Jones was a fantastic 47th overall from a field of 222 hardy runners, but sadly due to deteriorating and dangerous weather conditions the remainder of the event was cancelled.
Richard Bouglas ran in the Nine Edges Endurance Race, a 20 mile off-road event with 900 metres of height gain over rough moorland and along gritstone edges and requiring skilled navigational abilities, all in aid of Edale Mountain Rescue. His finishing time of 3 hours 30 minutes and 57 seconds reflects the tough and challenging course.
Five of Buxton’s finest ran in the Tour of Bradwell, a 16.5 mile event over some of the hilliest parts of the Peak District. Jason Brunnock was a brilliant 3rd overall, from a field of 99, in 2 hours 3 minutes and 13 seconds, while Jo Bednall claimed not only the 1st Female Vet 50 place, but was a fantastic 4th female overall in 2.45.49. Ruth Gowers was 73rd in 3.12.35, and Sue Jeff came home in under four hours, 3.58.56, 93rd, ably assisted by husband Nigel.