Buxton Juniors were on winning form at Wirksworth Incline this weekend. The Incline race starts straight up Middleton Incline, heading all the way up to the Trig point at Batemans Pantations taking in the highest point of 358 m (1174 feet) and back down again.
The Junior race was devised by local teacher, Wendy Smith, and is today named in her honour following her tragic death in 2014. The Junior Trophies are made by Wendy’s friend – Peter Cousins, a local artist who uses wood from the main course.
Buxton AC has an outstanding turn out of 22 juniors running in all of the 3 races on offer – Junior, Short and Long and taking home an impressive haul of winnings in them all!
First race was an 800m Fun Run up the steep Incline and back again aimed at the under 10’s. Buxton’s Henry Hazelhurst came in 3rd boy with team mate Jimmy Golden 10th boy. Buxton’s Rachel Cudahy had a great run to come in 2nd girl overall, with Eden Piggott 4th, Flo Brown 5th. 6 year old Evie Willis came 10th girl overall – 2nd under 8 with Hannah Cudahy 3rd girl U8. 26 ran.
Next up was the 3.2km Short race was for those aged over 10. The girls overall winner was Buxton AC’s Grace Longden, with team mate Sienna Phillips in 2nd. Buxton’s Lucy Whelan came in first under 12 girl with Molly Golden 3rd and Rebecca Cudahy 4th. Ava Hazelhurst was 2nd under 16 girls with team mate Heather Wilshaw in 3rd. In the boys race Buxton’s Jonty Brown came 3rd overall, with team mates Liam Jones in 7th and Dylan Gray in 9th.
The Long race was a full 6.9km over a tough course aimed at seniors with a minimum age of 14 years. Some of the juniors took on this more extreme challenge with outstanding results. Buxton junior Sam soles, was first junior to finish this more extreme challenge coming an outstanding 2nd overall, chased by team mate Will Longden who came in 3rd overall. Stu Diamond was next Buxton junior finishing 7th followed by brother Ed in 14th. Buxton junior Lucy Bednall had a great run to come in 3rd lady overall – first under 16. 44 finished.