Three key events in the running calendar took place last weekend – the popular monthly Pavilion Gardens 5K, the second event in the Manchester Cross Country League over at Kenworthy Woods, and the demanding Roaches 15 mile fell race. Buxton AC rose to the challenge!
The 5K attracted almost 90 runners of all ages, with a first ever win at the race for Dan Latham in 18.47, likewise Annette Fowler was, for the very first time, first female home in a fantastic personal best time of 22.07, claiming first Over 50 Female as well, and 13th overall in the race. Leading the Juniors home was the amazingly talented 9 year old Jonty Brown, who ran a sizzling 21.40 time to claim 10th place overall. First Male Over 40 was Tom Greatorex, second overall, in 19.03, while Jon Batt was First Male Over 55 in 19.17. Kevin Mottram was First Male Over 45 in 19.52, with Terry Fowler hot on his heels as First Male Over 50 in 20.30. Heather Wilshaw, meanwhile, was First Junior Female, 14th overall in 22.51, and second female in the race. Ever-improving Adele Thornton was third female, First Female Over 35 in a time of 23.55. The latest Target 5K beginners’ group of 8 runners took part, and achieved their 9 week goal of running the 5K distance.
Kenworthy Woods is a relatively flat cross country course, with several hazards through nearby woods. Making light work of such hazards, 24 Senior Club Members succeeded in staying the course in their respective races. Ten Females took part, with Debbie Hope (66th), Tania Wilson (90th), Katie Rolfe (130th) and Joanne Cudahy (144th) combining to complete the first Buxton Ladies’ team, giving a fantastic 13th Vet team placing overall. Some 356 runners competed. Alasdair Campbell, showing a welcome return to form, was first Buxton male home in a brilliant 12th place overall, from a huge field of over 500 runners. Together with Nat Winfield (62nd) Rob White (68th), Jacob Winfield (90th), Rick Aldred (200th) and Richard Bouglas (239th) Campbell took the men’s team to 14th Senior Men’s Team from 69 teams.
A true test of stamina is the Roaches 15 mile fell race, held out of Meerbrook and consisting of 15 tough miles with 3,700 feet of ascent, and taking in the rocky Roaches range, a precarious river crossing and a near vertical climb to the summit of Shutlingsloe – before returning on the same route. Not content with his well-placed cross country race the day before, Alasdair Campbell powered his way to fourth place in this challenging race, and in an outstanding 2 hours and 6 minutes and 36 seconds. Team-mates Jason Brunnock (12th in 2.17.42), Daniel Latham (30th in 2.28.09), Jason Burgess (41st in 2.33.50), Nick Jones (60th in 2.40.32) and Martin Ward (84th in 2.51.21) all finished with terrific times.
Marathon running conditions in Tenerife last weekend were not particularly conducive to speedy times, but having to contend with both excessive heat and a chest cold didn’t stop Alan Talbot from running an impressive 4 hours 8 minutes and 4 seconds at the Santa Cruz marathon, and claiming Second Male Over 65 was compensation for the tough conditions.
Tracy Gregory knocked a huge five minutes from her previous best time at the Betws y Coed 10K trail race which, given the near vertical first mile, is a great achievement. Tracy’s time was 1.02.56.
Parkrun Round-up
On the Parkrun front, Liam Browne competed at Bakewell and finished in 23.29, while Justin Holmes and Gill Thompson ran at Glossop, with 26.58 and 28.41 finishing times. Michael Abrahams took in the Macclesfield Parkrun in a time of 30.56.