Buxton AC turned out in full force to represent their respective a total of 7 different local schools and colleges in the recent English Schools Fell Running Championships hosted by Giggleswick School , Settle, in the heart of Yorkshire. The 17 Buxton AC youngsters put on a spectacle of brilliant performances from all age groups ranging from year 7 up until year’s 12 and 13.
The year 7 race saw Jack Cook of Hope Valley, lead the Buxton juniors finishing in an impressive 11th followed closely by Lucy Whelan, representing Chapel High School, achieved a top 20 finish coming 19th in the girl’s category. Matt Rolfe and Rebecca Cudahy, representing Buxton Community School, ran very well finishing in 66th and 32nd in their first English Schools experience.
The next event was the year 8/9 race which saw Sienna Phillips of Leek High School, running high up in the rankings finishing 46th out of a very strong field closely followed by Buxton AC team-mates Grace Bond (Leek) who crossed the finish line in 56th, Marissa Jackson 56th and Matilda Reeves (BCS) in 61st respectively.
By the time of the year 10/11 race had begun, the course had been proved extremely challenging with poor conditions over night making the going soft to boggy and the impressive river “water jump” already giving a few young athletes an early dunking! Nothing hindered the spirits of the Buxton juniors who continued to put in outstanding performances! Buxton’s Will Longden, fresh from success at the Home Internationals, secured a Bronze medal followed closely by Fin Grant in 4th. Fellow England International Lucy Bednall narrowly missed out on a podium spot in 4th place in the girl’s category. Amy Wheelan and Harry Bond also obtained high up positions with Harry finishing 15th and Amy finishing 10th out of a very strong field.
The Year 12 and 13 race saw a gold rush for the juniors with yet another Buxton based international athlete, Lucas Parker putting in an outstanding performance with a spectacular sprint finish to claim the English Schools National title winning Gold! Buxton AC England International Sam Soles claimed the individual Bronze medal, whilst teammates Stuart and Ed Diamond finishing in 7th and 16th – the trio winning team Gold for Marple College. Heather Wilshaw, representing Buxton Community School, finished a very strong race finishing in 12th in the girl’s standings, rounded off an amazing day in the Yorkshire hills for the juniors competing in this prestigious event.