On a perfect spring morning, ninety six runners started their weekend off with a 5K run around Buxton’s stunningly beautiful Pavilion Gardens, testament to the popularity of this free and friendly event, now in it’s seventh year.
Talented Juniors dominated the top placings, with Macclesfield’s Lucas Parker nudging into first position by just one second ahead of Buxton’s Elliott Meylan, in a time of 17.24. Third home was Buxton’s Harry Bond, another Club Junior, in 18.22. First ever record in the Female Vet 65 category was claimed by Steel City Strider, Dot Kesterton, in a superb 22.14, 21st overall, while Tania Wilson broke the Club’s Female Vet 55 record, coming home in an excellent 22.17, 22nd placing. Rob Lloyd was first Buxton Senior Male home, 6th in 18.52, while Neil Pearsons (19.38, 8th) was first Male Vet 50. Hot on his heels was David Reeves (19.54, 9th) fist Male Vet 45, and David Newton (20.13, 10th) was first Male Vet 40. Samantha Willis was first Buxton female home, slashing 55 seconds from her personal best for the distance, finishing in 15th place, in a very commendable 21.10.
The Club’s Fletcher Cup handicap race, part of the 2019 Championships, was held last Wednesday evening. The route takes in some tough climbs around our lovely Goyt Valley, firstly the challenging Macclesfield Old Road over to Derbyshire Bridge, through the valley, before returning up the formidable Bunsal Incline, descending Long Hill and back into the town. The winner is the person closest to their estimated time for the 9 miles, and recent Target 5K graduate, Jennie Light, was delighted to be just 11 seconds away from her predicted time and so a worthy winner of the trophy. Samantha Willis, as first female veteran home, was the winner of the May Morrison Memorial Trophy. Fastest male was Sol Clark in a cracking 57.35, and fastest female was Samantha Willis in an impressive 1.13.11.
Buxton athletes shone at the Derbyshire Track & Field Championships, held over two days last weekend at Moorways Stadium. The ladies’ team, consisting of Elizabeth Nocton, Rachel Dowle, Heather Fryer-Winder and Caroline Newton-Phillips were triumphant winners in the 4 x 100 metres race, while Rachel Dowle claimed Gold in the 100 metres race, and Elizabeth Nocton returned home with Bronze in the Shot Put, Silver in the Discus and Bronze in the Hammer. Pete Bailey is County Champion in the High Jump and 400 metres in the 50-59 category, so two Golds, and took Silver in the 3000 metres. Rob White claimed Gold in the High Jump, and was County Champion in the 400 metres, 35-49 age category, bringing home Gold in this and the High Jump. White was second in the Senior 1500 metre event, a Silver.
The Cressbrook Crawl covers 6.5 miles, and has over 1100 feet of climbing, taking in some of the finest of the White Peak’s dales – Upperdale, Monsal Dale, Taddington Dale, High Dale and Miller’s Dale. The on-form Amy Clark took the second female overall prize in a fantastic 55.04, 21st in the race, while Ruth Gowers was 83rd in 66.43, and Angela Bent smiled her way round in 75.14, 113th. Undeterred by his energetic activities the day before, Rob White showed his mettle by claiming the 5th overall prize in a speedy time of 46.50. Clubmate Jason Bennett was 14th in 51.03, Jon Sewell 17th in 52.46.