Once again last week Buxton AC’s fabulous junior athletes stole the show and left the senior athletes in their wake.
Highlight of the week was the famous Eccles Pike Fell Race, featuring 21 Buxton athletes, starting and finishing in Buxworth. This race is an historic encounter dating back to the nineteenth century and therefore one of the oldest of its type. This year’s victors were very much products of the 21st century, both being only 15 years old. Will Longden won the race outright, battling from start to finish with fellow Buxton Junior Sam Soles but just pipping his club-mate to the line by 3 seconds. Longden’s winning time was a sensational 23:41 for the rough, hilly 3.4 mile course which includes a mighty 1000 feet of ascent.
Buxton’s 3rd and 4th runners home were also junior athletes, Ed Diamond finishing in 23rd and Jacob Miller 25th. The women’s race was dominated by Buxton’s golden girl Lucy Bednall who finished 29th overall in 28:17.
Not to leave it all to the youngsters, Lucy’s mum Jo Bednall (70th) bagged the women’s veteran 50+ prize and along with junior Amy Whelan (79th) won the coveted women’s team prize. Huge thanks are due to Goyt Valley Striders and the Navigation Inn for staging this much loved local event.
Seven hardy Buxton souls braved torrential rain last Friday evening to take part in the Hob Hurst’s fell race at Beeley. Even midst the rain and mud it was easy to appreciate the stunning landscape in this beautiful part of the Peak District. Buxton’s winners on the night were Samantha Willis who took the Women’s Vet 40 prize finishing 38th of 156 runners in 42:58 (despite 2 heavy falls) and Joanne Bednall who again claimed the Women’s Vet 50 prize finishing 37th in 42:44. Buxton’s 1st man home was Richard “Sickboy” Bouglas, 25th in 40:15.
On Saturday, Nigel Jeff travelled further afield to claim 34th place out of 138 finishers at the challenging “Pendle 3 Peaks” race, a fine effort. Nigel’s time was 1 hour 47 minutes.
Also last weekend, a plethora of Buxton athletes took part in the UK wide Parkrun phenomenon, with many setting personal bests for the 5k distance. At Bakewell Parkrun Fran Ross (22:48), Charlie Aucott (25:40), Charlie Narejko (27:10), Julie Bettley (28:59) and Jennie Light (29:37) all set new bests – altogether 10 Buxtonians were amongst the astonishing 354 participants. Meanwhile at the much hillier Lyme Park event, 5 Buxton runners took part, with Katie Rolfe (24:51) and Tim Rolfe (27:23) achieving PBs. 104 runners took part in this event, celebrating the reopening of the Park after recent floods.
Runners of all ages and abilities are most welcome to join the weekly training sessions and other events organised by Buxton AC