Buxton’s customary weather doesn’t always take pity on the town for our annual Carnival Day, but 2019 will go down in the annals as one that was ideal for both the Carnival Day Race and Carnival Procession – not too hot, not cold and, importantly, dry! 200 runners in the annual 4 mile Carnival Day Road Race were met with perfect running conditions, and cracking results reflect the ideal weather.

Travelling all the way from Kent AC to take part in the race was Mark Hall, and his reward was a superb first place in a speedy 21 mins and 26 secs, while Jo Hickman Dunn was first female home in a high speed 24.23.

Race Directors Gemma and Andrew Wearden are grateful for the invaluable help from the many Buxton AC Club Members who made the event such a resounding success. Special mention to PT Corner for their fantastic warm-up session, a great way to start the race. A massive 32 Club runners took part in the popular race. Rising star Elliot Meylan was first Club Member back in a fantastic fourth place in a steaming 22 minutes and 41 seconds, while Sol Clark was hot on his heels in 5^th in 23.29. Jason Bennett, taking 7^th place in 24.17, gave the lads the Men’s team prize. Amy Wentworth demonstrated her talent by claiming second female home, 19^th overall, in an exceptional 25.45. 4^th female home in 38^th place was Amy Mellor, in 27.55, while Tania Wilson’s storming season continues with a 1^st Female 55 in 29.30, 53^rd overall and beat the existing record by 3 seconds. The three ladies won the coveted Ladies’ team prize. Steve Watson’s star is beginning to shine once again, and his 11^th placing and 1^st Male 55 in 24.28 is testament to this. Heather Wilshaw, in 62^nd place, was first Female Junior home, in an outstanding 30.39. Lucas Parker of Macclesfield AC was first Male Junior (2^nd overall in the race), giving him the prestigious Thomas Theyer Memorial Trophy.

The penultimate race in the Staffordshire Moorlands Summer Series was held at the lovely Biddulph Grange Country Park. Fifteen Buxton runners took part in the four mile race, a two lap course with some particularly testing hilly snatches. Chris Rushworth was once again first Buxton AC member home, 15^th position in 28.13, while Katie Rolfe reclaimed her crown as first Buxton female home, finishing in 70^th place in 32.31. Adele Thornton had an impressive run to finish in 104^th in 35.25, while Neil Evans was 85^th in 33.39. Sheila Bradley, in 121^st place, was 1^st FV60, in 36.29. Some 225 runners took part.

Three ultra distance Club runners took on a variety of challenges from 27 miles to over 50 miles recently. At the White Peak Walk, Sheila Bradley slashed 13 minutes from her 2017 time to finish in 5 hours and 8 minutes, giving her 2^nd female home placing and first female veteran, 9^th overall from a field of over 300. Nick Jones, meanwhile, travelled to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales to take part in “Afoot in Two Dales”, a 50+ mile event, and was brilliantly second placed in 9 hours and 48 minutes. Tracy Gregory ran 19 laps of a 5K course at Thornley Park, Burnley in the Trailblaster 24 hour event, giving her a total of almost 59 miles.

A couple of recent fell races attracted Buxton AC runners aplenty, and rewards were abundant. At the tough Warslow Beer Festival race, 11 Buxtonians took part and four were in the prizes. Jacob Winfield was an astonishing 3^rd overall, and first Under 19 to finish in 56.22, Elliot Meylan 6^th overall and first Under 18, while Jo Bednall was second female home in 69.50 and 1^st Female Vet 50. Sam Willis was 52^nd overall and 1^st Female Vet 40 in 73.52. Over 120 runners competed in the race.

At the Hathersage Gala Fell Race, 15 Buxton runners took part in this testing event which heads up from the village over Hathersage Moor and Higger Tor. Once again, three talented Juniors led the Seniors to the finishing line – Sam Soles was a worthy 4^th finisher, and 1^st Male Under 23, followed by Jacob Winfield was 7^th, and 24^th Jacob Miller. Chris Rushworth was 1^st Senior home for the Club in 29^th, whilst Sam Willis’ 113^th place gave her 1^st Female Vet 40 position.

Just a couple of Club Members took part in the Peak Forest Fell Race the day after the Carnival Race – both Jason Bennett and Tania Wilson clearly used the road race as a warm up, Bennett finishing in a terrific 5^th position and Wilson 24^th, 2^nd female home and 2^nd FV55. Over 60 runners raced.