Well over four hundred runners valiantly tackled wet & windy weather conditions at the Lomas Distribution Buxton Half Marathon last Sunday, and so very slim chance of any course records being broken. Climbing for the first three miles all the way from outside the beautiful Opera House to the top of Axe Edge, the route heads down Dowel Dale to Glutton Bridge, where another stiff climb out of the valley demands much staying power from the runners. A welcome speedy descent to Brierlow Bar gives a little respite, but head-on winds buffeted the runners all the way to Harpur Hill and back into town, to the welcome sight of the finish line in the Pavilion Gardens.

Gareth Cooke of Penistone Footpath Runners & AC was the clear winner in an admirable 1 hour, 17 minutes and 9 seconds, while Hayley Gill of Matlock AC was first female home in a very respectable 1.35.44. Twelve Buxton AC runners took part, pride of place going to Sol Clark who slashed eight minutes from his 2018 time, and was 5^th overall in a cracking 1.22.47. Amy Mellor was 99^th overall, 7^th female home and first Buxton lady back in a very creditable 1.44.45. First Male Vet Over 65 was Alan Talbot, 151^st in 1.51.17.

Jon Sewell was 22^nd in 1.32.12, David Reeves 29^th in 1.34.05, Neil Pearsons 44^th in 1.36.46. Adele Thornton and Fran Ross supported each other the entire way, finishing in 164^th and 165^th (1.52.19 & 20) respectively. Kate Ledin finished in 219^th in 1.59.01, Ian Drayton 221^st in 1.59.10, Don O’Brien 284^th in 2.06.54 and Angela Bent 334^th in 2.15.31.

Race Director Nigel Jeff thanked sponsors Lomas Distribution and Buxton Water, and made special mention of all the helpers, marshals and volunteers without whom the race could not go ahead, and in particular given the appalling weather conditions, remained cheerful and supportive of the runners.

Elsewhere, Louise Hallows ventured around the hilly country lanes of East Sussex at the Rye 10 mile road race, finishing in 1.35.49, 150^th from a field of 230 runners.

Rob White enjoyed the panoramic views of the East Coast at the Ravenscar off-road half marathon where almost 300 runners ran on coastal path, fields and disused railways. White had well over a minute’s lead to bring him the prestigious first place home in 1.30.53.

Just two Buxton AC athletes competed at the Totley Moor 6.5 mile fell race last week, and from a field of 259, Pete Bailey came home in 61.27 (136^th) and Rebecca Day in 64.23 (170^th).

At the second of the British Fell Championships, held at Ras y Moelwyn in Wales, Richard Goff finished the almost 10 mile mountainous route in 2.17.06, while Tania Wilson ran in 2.21.21, 212^th and 223^rd respectively.