Buxton AC athletes have excelled themselves over the past few days with almost 50 Club Members taking part in fell and road races all over the North West.

Starting on the fells, last Wednesday evening saw the running of a long-standing local fell race, Shining Tor, starting near the Errwood Reservoir and taking in some of the toughest of the Goyt Valley’s hills. Eight Buxton AC runners gave a good account of themselves, with two ladies returning with hard-earned veteran category placings. Jo Bednall finished the 10K route in 53.21 and was rewarded with 2^nd FV50 prize, while Tania Wilson ran in 55.15 and was 2^nd FV55.

Still on the fells, the annual “3 Days in May” Hayfield Series incorporates three testing races – Mayfield May Queen, a 3 mile trot up Lantern Pike; Mount Famine, a 5 miler with stiff climbs up and around Mount Famine and South Head; last but by no means least, the Lantern Pike Dash – a brutal mile from the Lantern Pike Inn up Lantern Pike & back.

An amazing five Buxton AC Juniors finished ahead of the first Senior home at the May Queen (reported elsewhere), with fantastic placings including a first for Sam Soles. Dan Latham was 27^th, Martin Thompson 37^th, Richard Bouglas 46^th – 122 ran.

No fewer than 13 Buxton athletes took part in the Mount Famine, and two outstanding placings were notable – Jo Bednall was 1^st FV50 (61.35, 57^th) and Tania Wilson was 1^st FV55 (66.27, 87^th). Jason Brunnock was first male home for the Club, 8^th overall, in 49.52. The Buxton roll of honour also includes: Nick Jones (34^th 57.52), Martin Thompson (45^th 60.06), Dan Latham (48^th 60.40), Richard Bouglas (62^nd 62.44), Pete Bailey (77^th 65.26), Richard Goff (80^th 65.41), Debbie Hope (101^st 70.25), Ross Martland (120^th 75.22), Heather Fryer-Winder (125^th 78.05) and Bev Golden (136^th 85.42). 142 ran.

The “Dash” attracted just 52 runners, perhaps due to the brutality of the course, and once again the Juniors showed their mettle, with Lucy Bednall 1^st female, Amy Whelan 2^nd and Sam Soles 2^nd overall in the race. Tania Wilson claimed the 1^st FV55 once again, while Jason Brunnock was 7^th overall.

Off-road still, but over a far greater distance was the scenic Hathersage Hurtle, some 20 miles with almost 3,000 feet of climbing. Matt Hawtin and Mark Thorogood ran together, finishing in 24^th and 25^th place from a field of well over 200, and finished in 2 hours and 57 minutes, while Kate Phillips slashed a huge 23 minutes from her 2018 time, coming home in 3 hours 35 minutes.

A series of road races in Manchester included both the half marathon and 10K distance. The Half Marathon took in the famous Etihad and Old Trafford stadiums, and was unexpectedly undulating, not deterring the hardy four Buxton AC runners, well used to hills of any sort. Rick Aldred was first back in 1.26.47, Louise Hallows 2.01.40, Elizabeth Nocton 2.10 and Charlie Narejko PB’d in 2.21.04. At the SimplyHealth Great Manchester 10K, Buxton runners were in exalted company, with names such as Edna Kiplagat, Steph Twell and Jenny Nesbit to conjure with. Jon Sewell finished in 181^st place in 38.20, Amy Clark 24^th female in 40.57, Sarah Sewell in 53.13, while Yvonne Ebdon and Selina Thompson debut’d at the distance in 66.27 and 68.25 respectively.

The Stone 5 mile road race attracted 300 runners, with eight from Buxton. Kev Mottram was the sole male Club Member to run, finishing in 37.49, while Adele Thornton was first Buxton lady home in 43.38, a personal best time. Next home was Louise Hallows in 48.08, Caroline Newton-Phillips 52.24, Emma Wentworth 52.24, Julie Bettley 54.26, Charlie Narejko 56.00 and Jennie Light 58.11.

At the White Peak Swift Half Marathon, held along the scenic High Peak Trail, Charlie Aucott finished in a personal best for the event in 1.52.12, while Alan Talbot was 3^rd MV65 at the Bosworth Half Marathon over in Lincolnshire, finishing in 1.46.37.