One-time Buxton AC Junior Will Tighe decimated his 5K race time at last weekend’s Pavilion Gardens 5K by a massive minute and a half, winning the event by a full 15 seconds ahead of second finisher, Hailemariam Abraham of East Cheshire Harriers.

Now running for Chesterfield AC, Tighe finished in a fantastic 17 minutes and one second.  First Buxton AC finisher was Jason Brunnock in 17.43, while first Buxton female was Sam Willis in 22.17.  Allannah Birtwistle of Macclesfield Harriers was first female in 19.47.

Elsewhere and on the fells, Buxton AC runners offered solid performances over a variety of distances.  At the Eccles Pike fell race, with a route that takes in a thousand feet of climbing over a relatively short distance of just under three and a half miles, some 171 runners took part.  Eight Buxton AC runners took on the challenge, and Richard Bouglas was first home for the Club in 39th place in a time of 29.29, with Richard Goff next up in 33.45, 77th.  First female home for the Club was Katie Rolfe, just this season discovering the delights of the fells, in a time of 34.35 and 90th place, with Jo Cudahy 95th in 35.03 and completing the Club triumvirate was Janet Taylor, 118th in 37.28.

Bradwell is situated in a Peak District dale, with steep and tough climbs either side of the scenic village.  The fell race takes good advantage of the natural geology of the village, and over a distance of just over three and half miles, the climb of 755 feet seems to take in the steepest of the climbs.  Richard Bouglas was again first home for the Club in a creditable place of 27th overall, 31.09, Kevin Mottram 29th in 31.16 and Nigel Jeff 48th in 32.45.

Also out of Bradwell, but over the much longer distance of 33 miles with almost 7,000 feet of climbing was the Long Tour of Bradwell.  A navigational challenge with compulsory checkpoints, almost 80 runners braved the increasingly hot conditions of the day.  Nick Jones was the sole Club runner competing in the full Tour, finishing in a very respectable time of six hours 54 minutes and 15 seconds.  The Half Tour is around 16 miles, and some 128 runners took part.  Jon Sewell was rewarded with a second Over 40 placing in a fantastic time of 2 hours 17 minutes and 24 seconds, and a 14th overall placing, while son-in-law Sol Clark finished in 30th in 2.42.17, wife Amy Clark, despite an ankle injury, came in just a few seconds later in 4th female overall position, in 2.42.31.

On another level entirely, the Swiss Sierre Zinal race covers 20 miles of mountainous terrain and a frightening 7,000 feet of climbing with five over 4,000 metre peaks to contend with.  From the huge field of 4,100 hardy souls, Debbie Hope was 14th female veteran in a brilliant 4 hours and 36 minutes.

Pete Bailey was the only Park-runner last weekend, taking in the Chichester event whilst in the area, finishing in 39th from a field of 175 and in a time of 23.23.