Buxton Athletic Club juniors had an outstanding turnout and set of results at the 11th English Schools Fellrunning Championships this weekend.
Representing 5 different local schools the juniors came home with an individual Silver, a Team Silver and a team Bronze. Held at Giggleswick School in Settle, the Championships brought together schools from all over the Country including the Isle of Man, and saw over 500 youngsters racing to take home those prestigious awards for their school. 16 Buxton AC juniors were selected to represent their schools and without exception all gave 100%!
The courses were particularly challenging as you would expect from a National Championships – with varied terrain ranging from grassland to steep technical, rocky sections and incorporated a river crossing that provided an exciting start! In the Year 7 race Grace Longden representing Chapel-en le Frith School, had an outstanding run to come in a very impressive 4th girl. Team mate Ed Hazelhurst, representing Buxton Community School also ran strongly to finish 27th boy. In the year 8/9 race Buxton’s Lauren Wilshaw led the way finishing 14th girl with Caleb Winfield of Chapel School, 43rd Luke Guise (BCS) 87th – 175 ran.
In the Year 10/11 ran the Buxton AC teams excelled! The Buxton Community School girls team led by Ellie Wilson in 9th position, team mate Heather Wilshaw, 35th and bringing them home in 43rd was Ava Hazelhurst 43rd – their cumulative score put them in second place! The Chapel School boys team had a phenomenal run – led by Sam Soles in 5th, Stu Diamond 16th, Ed Diamond 18th and Will Longden 21st. The Team earning Bronze medals! Individually runner Lucy Bednall the sole representative from Abbotts Holme School had a fantastic run to come in 4th girl and Westwood Colleges only runner Harry Bond also of Buxton AC, came in 30th boy. In the last race of the day the Year 12/13 Buxton AC Alex Ediker representing Brookefield Community School, recently returned from injury to finish in Silver medal position. Finishing an outstanding day of achievements in style!!
The award winners were presented their awards by Emma Hopkinson, a former Junior English Fells champ and England International. Emma is a legend in British Fellrunning having won the prestigious Fellsman 2017 & the winner and record holder of the 112 mile Spine Challenge. Buxton AC’s Rachel Dowle who team managed the Community School team said, “This year has been Buxton AC’s best turn out at this event and what an event it has been. Couldn’t have asked for a more glorious day and the juniors have really taken up the challenge and done themselves, their club and their schools proud!”