Buxton AC juniors had a record number of juniors taking part this this years Saucony National Cross Country Relay Championships. 16 juniors raced in 6 teams with runners in every junior category from U13 to U17 – joined by 3 senior women’s teams and 2 senior men’s teams – an outstanding turn out of 33 runners representing Buxton!
This was the 33rd time the Relays have been staged, having started in 1985 at Crystal Palace when just youths, juniors and senior men’s races took place. Now there are 10 events on the programme and the venue, Berry Hill Park, Mansfield plays host for the 30th consecutive year. For the 13th time over 1000 team entries were received and a record number of 170 Senior Women’s teams have been entered.
The tight and twisty course over the varied terrain generates a great atmosphere and competition is always intense. The course is a favourite amongst competitors and spectators, with it providing a mixture of parkland, woods, and a fast finishing section with good viewing points. The laps of 2K for the younger age groups and up to 5K for the Senior Men are a good start for the early part of the season and how the Clubs run their teams means that there are many different leaders at the end of each leg which creates much excitement.
With the European Cross Country Trials at the end of November many athletes were out to impress as it is an ideal early season opener for the competition ahead. The competition is fierce and the youngsters from Buxton all put in 100% to hold their own against the best in the country.
First up for Buxton was Heather Wilshaw who took on leg one of the Under 17 girls race. She completed the course in style finishing in a great time of 10:44. The under 17 boys team had an outstanding race, with Sam Soles running a super speedie first leg of 9:24 (24th fastest) followed by twins Stu Diamond and Ed Diamond who held off the competition to finish 34th team overall out of 75 teams taking part.
The U13 boys ran next with Ben Hawtin getting a great start to put the team in 84th position out of 106 on the first leg – he handed over to team mate Joseph Thorogood and anchor Luke Guise – both running strongly to put the team in 86th position overall. The Under 13 girls also did the club proud finishing in 63rd position out of 88 teams – Sienna Phillips, Grace Bond and Grace Longden all put in great efforts with Phillips running a super speedie 8:08 and Longden picking up 22 positions on the tail leg!
Amy Whelan led out the U15 girls team with a cracking run to finish 79th out of 111 on the first leg, she passed to Abbie Fryer-Winder who worked hard, handing to Lucy Bednall who flew round her leg picking off 21 places to put the team in 73rd overall out of 96 teams completing. Harry Bond had a strong run to lead out the under 15 boys, handing over to Caleb Winfield who ran well to hold his position and pass to Will Longden who had a storming run making up 25 places, the team finishing in a fantastic 57th place out of 93 teams.
Team manager Rachel Dowle said, “What a fantastic day for Buxton Juniors! An outstanding turn out, super performances and what I feel is really the most important thing – a really fun, friendly, family day out! It was great to see all the kids getting into the spirit of the event, painting each others faces, cheering each other on and really showing what a great team they are! We are so proud of each and every one of them.”