Challenging weather conditions faced Buxton AC athletes whichever event they chose this past weekend.
A breezy and damp day on Saturday met 78 participants on Saturday morning for the popular Pavilion Gardens 5K. Nothing deterred Jason Brunnock, however, who took an early lead and held firmly onto it for the entire race, finishing in a cracking 17 minutes and 41 seconds. Initially hot on Brunnock’s heels was the on-form Amy Clark, who ran an amazing 18.49 to claim second place, first lady and demolishing her personal best time for the distance by 15 seconds, a fantastic achievement over such a short distance. From the first 10 finishers, Buxton athletes took seven of the positions. Rob Lloyd was third home in 19.24, and talented Junior Heather Wilshaw was second female home in 22.30. Jon Sewell, in 5th place, was 1st Male Vet 45, while Terry Fowler, 7th in 20.20, was 1st Male Vet 50, Annete Fowler 1st Female Vet 50 in 23.47, and Janet Taylor 1st Female Vet 55 in 24.21. Tony Hulme of Wilmslow claimed 1st Male Vet 70 in 23.22.
Later in the day, still breezy and damp, 17 Senior Buxton runners headed over to Heaton Park to take part in the fourth Manchester Cross Country League fixture. With a speedy downhill start and a taxing uphill finish, the course sets a tough challenge for any runner. First home for the Senior Ladies was Katie Rolfe in 88th, followed by Kate Ledin in 122nd, Ruth Gowers in 153rd and, completing the team, Jo Cudahy in 154th. Well over 300 runners took part. Some 466 Senior Men ran the 10k course, and Rob White, enjoying a satisfying purple patch, led the team home in 39th place, followed by Jacob Miller in 127th, David Fryer-Winder in 237th, Richard Bouglas in 258th, Andy Lidstone in 281st, and sixth team counter was Matt Hawtin in 292nd.
Sunday’s off-road challenges made the 5K and cross country pale in comparison given the severe weather conditions, with heavy rain and gusting winds of over 45mph testing the mettle of the athletes. The Trigger Race, also known as the Marsden to Edale race, covers 20 miles over a linear route from Marsden near Huddersfield, crossing the notorious Black Hill, the aptly-named Bleaklow, Kinder Scout and all the way to finish at Edale, with over 4,500 feet of climbing en route. Well over 130 entrants started the event, not all stayed the course, but three of Buxton’s finest rose to the challenge and finished. Dan Latham had a tremendous race to finish in 11th place, followed some time later by Nick Jones and Nigel Jeff.
Far shorter but with equally testing conditions was the Lambs Longer Leg 3.1 mile fell race, held out of Hayfield, and with 950 metres of climbing and a race profile more akin to a Bactrian camel with two stonking great uphills followed by two equally precipitous descents. 74 brave souls took part, drenched to the skin and battered by gusting winds. Six Buxtonians ran, and first home was Martin Ward in 26th, followed by Jo Bednall in 32nd, Pete Bailey in 37th, Mark Halsey in 42nd, Dave Forshaw in 66th and Bev Golden in 70th.