Buxton Athletic Club’s annual Championships include a variety of distances from the speedy 5K to the energy sapping marathon, but for those with an extra dose of resilience and stamina, the ultra championships are hard to resist.

First race in a series of six, with distances ranging from 27 miles through to the colossal 50 miles, was the 32 mile Wilmot Wander which covers a circular route around the environs of the city of Derby. It includes strenuous hilly sections, field paths, parkland and canal tow paths, so something for everyone. Four regular long-distance runners from the Club took part on a blustery and cold day last Sunday, facing the challenge with some trepidation. Leading them home in around 5 and a half hours was Martin Ward, followed by Emma Wentworth in six hours, Tracy Gregory in eight hours and, despite a strong start, Simon Moorhouse had to drop out at 16 miles. Some 150 runners took part.

The Midland Cross Country Championships, held at Leamington Spa, was a little remote for Buxton AC to field the usual huge numbers, but six Seniors flew the flag for the first time in the Regional Championships. From a field of around 270 Senior Women, Tania Wilson was first home for Buxton in 103^rd place, followed by Kate Ledin in 114^th, Elizabeth Nocton in 181^st and Heather Fryer-Winder in 234^th. Just two Senior Men took part, and from a huge field of well over 400, Stefan Ledin came home in 315^th, while Pete Bailey completed the 12K course in 363^rd place.

Still off-road but a little more local was the 9.7 mile Tigger Tor fell race, held from the Sheffield Tigers RUFC clubhouse. With 1,600 feet of climbing, and on a blustery and cold day, this was never going to be an easy ride. High points include Burbage Edge, Carl Wark, Houndkirk, just some of the tough climbs facing the 400+ runners. Dan Latham, running stronger all the time, finished in 71^st place in one hour, 30 minutes and 5 seconds, while teammate Richard Bouglas, not too far behind in 89^th position in 1.33.30.

The latest Target 5K beginners’ group started in early January and apart from one session being snowed off, the 50+ runners are proving a hardy bunch. An extra optional session on Saturday mornings doesn’t just mean more running around the beautiful Pavilion Gardens, but those who turn up are asked to bring a food donation for the High Peak Foodbank, a very worthy reason to turn up. Last Saturday’s group of around a dozen collected an amazing 30 items which were handed over to the charity.

A Parkrun round-up includes four of the local events – Lyme Park, Bakewell, Glossop and Macclesfield. Pride of place goes to Neil Persons who finished in 15^th place at Lyme Park in 22.57, while Ian Drayton finished in 33^rd place at Bakewell, Jane Poulter in 28.49. Over at Glossop, Justin Holmes was 42^nd finisher, Gill Thompson 62^nd and Tracy Gregory 87^th. Kate Brown was 78^th at Macclesfield.