Six Buxton Athletics Club runners claim Derbyshire vests for national cross country championships

The trials were held as part of the Derbyshire Schools Cross Country Championships this weekend at Shipley Park where youngsters attending Derbyshire schools had been selected to represent their districts.

No less than 10 Buxton AC juniors were there to represent schools in the High Peak area in this prestigious event and they all did themselves, their schools and their club proud.

First up in the Year 7 age category was Lucy Whelan and Rebecca Cudahy, representing Chapel High School and Buxton Community School. Jack Cook ran for Hope Valley School in the boys' race finishing sixth overall.

The Year 7 runners could not progress to the next round - the National Cross Country Championships - however, the older age groups were all competing for selection into the Derbyshire team. The first eight youngsters earning a place with the next four becoming reserves.

Grace Longden, representing Chapel School in the Junior Girls (Year 8/9) ran in a very competitive race to finish 14th - just outside qualification. However, it was in the Intermediate and Senior races where the Buxton juniors shone!

The Intermediate boys' race was won by Finley Grant, with Chapel High School’s Will Longden hot on his heels and Intermediate girl Amy Whelan in eighth - all three qualifying for those Derbyshire vests.

The Senior runners were led home by Buxton's Will Tighe who won his age category at this event for an outstanding sixth time in the seven years he has run in this competition!

Buxton's Ellie Wilson had a great race to finish second Senior girl with Heather Wilshaw sixth – all three Buxton Community School pupils qualifying to represent Derbyshire at Sefton Park, racing against the best cross country runners in the land.

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