This weekend Buxton AC hosted the last race in the English Junior Fells Championships “Up The Nab!”  The Juniors were in Bronze team position with several individuals in contention for a podium finish, so it was all to play for.

Glossop Rugby Club was the start venue and the routes took in the steep slopes of Slack Edge up to Whiteley Nab with an elevation of 300m, and stunning views all the way.  It was a gorgeous, sunny day which added to the challenge but didn’t stop 24 Buxton juniors running their hearts out!  And at the end of the day the team managed to push Buxton AC up the podium to finish in an outstanding with an Team Silver in this National competition.

Not only did the team grab Silver but 3 individuals also earnt Silver medals.  Sam Soles won his race to take overall Silver medal in the U19 Championships, Will Longden added another 2nd place finish to also secure Silver in the under 17 boys and Lucy Bednall made it a hat-trick also coming in 2nd and seizing Silver in the U17 girls.

The Buxton team had runners aged from 6 years old racing in this competition and the youngest – Stanley Cook led the under 9’s home in a cracking 6th with team mate Jimmy Golden racing down the hill in 13th.  Evie Willis made her debut in the Championships with a excellent 8th with Hannah Cudahy not far behind in 9th.

Jonty Brown and Dylan Gray ran well in the under U11 boys race with Jonty coming in 5th and Dylan 17th.  Erin Colebrook came a fantastic 5th in her first Championships race with team mates Flo Brown and Rachel Cudahy also flying in 10th and 12th.

The under 13 race had an impressive 66 youngsters running with Buxton’s Jack Cook finishing a terrific twelve, Lucy Whelan stormed home in 10th, with team mates packing well – Grace Bond 23rd, Molly Golden 25th and Rebecca Cudahy 29th.

Lauren Wilshaw scored a super 6th, chased by Grace Longden in 8th and Sienna Phillips 12th U13 in the 55 strong field.  Luke Guise made his debut to finish a secure 29th.

Will Longden ran an outstanding race beaten into 2nd by the shortest margin in the U17 race with Harry Bond running an excellent 11th. The ever strong Lucy Bednall led the girls home in 2nd with Amy Whelan finishing just outside the podium positions in 4th and Heather Wilshaw putting in a valiant race whilst injured to complete in 10th.

Buxton AC team manager Rachel Dowle said, “This has been the perfect end to an outstanding Championships for Buxton juniors.  From marking the course, to baking cakes and making butties; from keeping the kids safe on the hill and the road crossing to timing the finish and calculating the results – the Buxton AC parents and supporters have put together the ideal finale and ensuring their kids had the opportunity to shine! The whole Championships have brought the team and their families together – we are all winners and the Silver medals are simply the cherry on top!”