From the 2012 Olympics to Striking Our Own Gold!
It was on the way home from the Bramhall Parkrun in August 2012 that a spark of an idea came into my head – why couldn’t we organize our own 5K run around our beautiful Pavilion Gardens? There were very few Parkruns around at that time and Buxton runners had to travel considerable distances to compete in these increasingly popular events. The amazing London 2012 Olympics had just been staged and enthusiasm for all things athletic was at an all-time high. Why not strike whilst the “Olympic legacy” iron was sizzling? And what a fantastic way to celebrate the legacy of the Games?
Given Buxton’s fairly remote location, a weekly event wasn’t going to attract huge numbers from around the district, but how about a free monthly 5K? That way, we thought we’d be more certain of getting a sizeable field of runners and, equally important, enough helpers on a not-too-frequent basis. So we started exploring the possibility of a monthly event ….
After getting the Committee’s approval, we contacted the management of the Gardens and, after fairly lengthy negotiations, they agreed to our plan of a monthly 5K around the paths of the Gardens at 9am every second Saturday of every month.
It was crucial that the event was free to anyone who wanted to take part, nor did we want to go to the extent of having to buy expensive equipment. The idea came to mind of the cross country system of position numbers for all finishers, so we cobbled together tickets from old cardboard, made direction arrows from the same bits of cardboard and odd bits of wood, bought cheap plastic piping and foam from B&Q which did a fine job for a finish funnel.
Now came the hard part of designing the course. This took several weeks of pounding the paths of the Gardens – with measuring wheel (“here comes Jim taking his wheel out for a walk” was oft heard!), Garmins galore – bike and on foot. Locals were left scratching their heads wondering who the old fellah was wandering round, pushing a measuring wheel, muttering to himself “One K, so if we start here, two K, finish line here …. “. Eventually a three-lap course was decided on. Et voila! We were ready to go.
Saturday 8 September 2012 dawned fine and sunny, to our relief, and to our even greater relief, 76 runners turned up to take part in our “little event”.
We are now in the 6th year of Buxton AC’s Pavilion Gardens 5K, and many local runners have gained fitness, satisfaction, and a whole lot of pleasure from taking part. The event regularly attracts runners from other local clubs – Goyt Valley, Tideswell, Macclesfield, Wilmslow, Jog Derbyshire, High Peak Runners, Glossopdale, Pennine – as well as further afield. Holiday visitors to the area seek us out, and we’ve had Australians, Danes, Swedes, French – so a truly international event!
We subsequently made minor adjustments to the course, had it officially measured and licenced by England Athletics which of course means that any EA affiliated athletes who take part have their times recorded on their Powerof10 profiles.
Local charities and schools have benefitted from our home produce stalls which we hold every so often, and PTA’s have raised funds for their particular schools by encouraging their children to take part and raise sponsorship, which we’re very pleased to help and support. The local British Legion branch have held, in conjunction with our help, their own Poppy 5K run, using our course & equipment, raising hundreds of pounds. The Thomas Theyer Foundation is the Club’s recognized charity and we’re always pleased to help raise funds for their very worthwhile cause by selling a few cakes.
One of the first locals to take part in the 5K was Andrew Wearden, who went on to join the Club and ultimately started the Target 5K beginners’ group over two years ago, after the Club funded his Leadership in Running Fitness training. The group has attracted over 200 runners, some have gone on to join the Club, others have gone from the 5K distance right up to marathons, others have lost weight, gained confidence and self-esteem. A true asset to the Club, and all from a germ of an idea those few years ago …
And it goes without saying that none of this could have happened without our trusty band of volunteers who turn out in all weathers, cheering on the runners, supporting our event. Particular mention must go to regulars such as Pete Bailey, Phil Hutson and, although not a member now but an early founder member of the Club, Pete Newsom. We’re grateful to every single person who’s helped over the years.
Long may it continue!