A couple of short but brutal fell races to report on this week, both held up in the bleak North of the county, where the hills and terrain aren’t to be taken lightly when the weather’s being particularly unkind.
Firstly, Lad’s Leap 5.9 mile race, which has around 1,700 feet of climbing, held from Crowden, attracted a small but hardy field of 67 runners, two from Buxton AC, and with solid results. Jo Bednall claimed the second female Veteran 50 placing, in a time of 1.10.13 (38th overall) while Heather Fryer-Winder, gradually returning to pre-injury form, finished in 1.29.27.
The James Thorn fell race covers a tough 5 miles, with almost 500 metres of steep climbing and held out of Glossop. Plaudits go to Samantha Willis who was a fantastic second lady home overall and first female vet 40 in a time of 48.11, 26th overall. Jason Brunnock, fresh from his cracking second placing in the Gardens 5K the day before, ran a stonking race to finish in 4th place overall in 38.43, while Pete Bailey completed the Buxton trio to come home in 49.14, 32nd place.
Still off-road but over a far longer distance was the Grindleford Gallop, with not so much galloping going on but steady endurance running to cover the 21 miles. A particularly scenic route, covering both Dark and White Peak, the event attracts both runners and walkers. From the Club, Nick Jones led his team-mates home in a creditable time of 3 hours and 8 minutes and 4 seconds, closely followed by Richard Bouglas in 3.09.01, Andy Lidstone 3.19, and finishing together Richard Goff and Dan Latham in 3.52. Almost 500 entrants took part.
The ever-popular Pavilion Gardens 5K proved to be even more popular with local runners last Saturday, with a record field of over 150 runners taking part, a sight to behold along Broad Walk. Maintaining a clear lead for the full three laps was Thomas Drabble, a one-time Buxton AC Junior, now running for Stockport Harriers, and in a cracking time of 15 minutes and 53 seconds. First female home was visitor to the town, Sarah Chapman, finishing just 19 seconds shy of the female course record in 17.56. Finishers 2, 3 and 4 were the Buxton AC “dream team” of Jason Brunnock, Jake Fearn and Ben Light in 17.22. 17.28 and 17.30 respectively. Amy Clark was not far off her own personal best for the course and second lady home in 18.58. First Junior male home was Buxton’s Jake O’Donnell in 21.38, while first Junior female was High Peak AC’s Matilda Reeves in 24.13. Goyt Valley Striders used the event as one of their Club Championship races and their athletes turned out in force, with 22 running.
David Fryer-Winder and Tracy Gregory represented the Club at the Retford Half Marathon last Sunday, and both returned with fine personal best times – Fryer-Winder knocking nearly an hour off his previous time for the distance, finishing in 1.32.13. Tracy finished in 2.01.27.
Training for the marathon distance, Emma Wentworth raced at the Knighton 20 mile road race, and despite battling ferocious headwinds, came home in a cracking time of 2 hours and 47 minutes.