Two major events dominated the weekend’s running, the Buxton Carnival 4 mile road race and the English Fell Championship race “Sea to Summit” on the Isle of Man. Unsurprisingly, Buxton AC athletes featured in both, bringing home fantastic results.
Carnival Day dawned bright & sunny, the buzz around the town palpable, with all sorts of exciting events taking place throughout the day. The 4 mile road race attracts not only locals who fancy their chances once a year, but experienced athletes from further afield who know they’re in for a bit of a test – and in front of cheering crowds. Coming all the way from Lincoln was the overall winner of the race, Will Strangeway, and in a time pretty close to the course record which stands at 20.17. Strangeway’s time was 20.45, well ahead of the next runner home, local lad Tom Drabble, running for Stockport, in 21.12. First Buxton runner home was talented youngster Elliot Meylan, 5th overall, and first Junior, in 22.58. Nicki Nealon, on holiday from Leicestershire, was first female home, and smashing the Over 50 record by an amazing four minutes, in 25.16. Buxton’s Amy Clark, rapidly returning to her usual speedy form, was second female home in 26.18. Fellow Club Member Janet Taylor took the 1st Over 50 prize (Nealon taking the 1st prize, so the Over 50 slips to the next O50), and Kate Ledin was pleased to claim the 1st Female Over 55 place. Clark, Taylor and Ledin comprised first female team winners for Buxton AC, so a double celebration for them. For the men, Terry Fowler was first Male Vet 50 and Malcolm Firth first Male Vet 65. Buxton men also took the first male team – Elliot Meylan, Jake Fearn and Sol Clark. The Thomas Theyer Memorial Trophy was won by another Buxton-based runner, Will Tighe, of Chesterfield. A great day for Buxton AC in lots of respects!
The Isle of Man boasts just one “mountain” – Snaefell is just over 2,000 feet high from sea level, which is precisely where the “Sea to Summit” English fell championship starts. After dipping a hand in the sea, competitors work their way up through the scenic island’s countryside, heading up to the wilder moorlands before finishing as they finally reach the very top of Snaefell. Rob White was first home for Buxton AC, and was 43rd from a field of over 200, with Dan Latham next home in 76th. In the separate ladies race, Buxton’s amazingly talented Helen Thornhill was 9th overall and second Under 23, while Tania Wilson was 41st overall and 4th Over 50.
Other events of note were the Staffordshire Moorlands Summer Series Biddulph race, the sixth in the series, and the Warslow Beer Festival fell race.
Two taxing laps of the hilly Biddulph Country Park gave nine Buxton AC athletes something to test their mettle, first home for the Club was on-form Ben Light, 5th overall in the race. Next week’s Oakamoor race will be yet another test of the athletes’ hill-climbing skills!
The Warslow Beer Festival is popular not only for the beer – the fell race brings in runners of a steely disposition who must contend with steep climbs and descents, bearing in mind the organiser’s recommendation that those who are nervous of heights should avoid taking part. A 6.2 mile route, with around two thousand feet of climbing, with one of the climbs being Ecton Hill, so definitely not for the faint-hearted. Five Buxton Athletic Club runners took part – Jason Brunnock (15th), Richard Bouglas (46th), Pete Bailey (53rd), Debbie Hope (58th) and Richard Goff (65th).