Day trips to Wales are generally pleasurable and often involve food, alcohol and a stroll along the promenade. Buxton Athletic Club’s version of “The Day We Went to Wrexham” as opposed to Bangor included some of the usual treats, but before they could be enjoyed, there was a small matter of a half marathon to run for 36 of the Club’s finest.

An early start from Buxton Marketplace, and with a coach-load of bleary-eyed runners, this was always going to be a long, tiring but ultimately satisfying day. And for twelve of the 36, it was a particularly rewarding day, returning with personal best times for the distance. Ranging from just a few seconds faster to an amazing 17 minutes smashed from his previous personal best for Chris Morten in 1.52.50.

From the 16 men who took part from the Club, Ben Light’s personal best time of 1.18.30 knocked almost 3 minutes from his previous best time, and brought him the accolade of first Buxton runner home, 64^th placing from a massive field of 2,374. Amy Clark was first Buxton female home from the 20 who ran, and her fantastic time of 1.26.14 was a minute and a half faster than her previous best, and gave her 8^th female finisher overall, a superb placing. Jon Sewell was second Buxton runner home in 1.24.28 (PB), while Dan Latham, third home, smashed 3 minutes from his previous PB to sprint home in 1.24.47.

Second and third Club females home, Katie Rolfe and Sam Willis both ran under the elusive 1 hour 40 for the very first time, with Katie’s time being 1.38.33 and Sam’s 1.39.31, outstanding times. Other “PB’ers” were Fran Ross (1.45.49), Adele Thornton (1.45.49), Chris Morten (1.52.50), Tim Rolfe (1.54.07), Charlie Aucott (1.58.31) and Rachel Dowle (2.00.12). A grand day out!  Thanks to Emma and Caroline for the seamless organisation.

Over the shorter distance of 5K, several Buxton runners took on the challenge of the internationally popular Parkun events last weekend, and personal best times were in evidence for several athletes. At Bakewell, David Fryer-Winder, 12^th home overall and in a PB, ran in 19.04, while Ian Drayton’s PB of 23.42 gave him 63^rd finishing place. Heather Fryer-Winder also ran a PB in 26.48. Aaron Leah and Nichola Sargent ran at Bakewell for the first time, finishing in 27.59 and 28.02 respectively. Matt Hawtin and Mark Thorogood travelled over the hill to Macclesfield to take part in the South Park event with fine results – Hawtin finished in 12^th place in 20.58, Thorogood 36^th in 22.49. In sparkling form at London’s Burgess Park race was Kate Ledin, striking a new personal best time in 22.29, while Tracey Gregory took on the hilly Lyme Park run finishing in 30.45.