Windy conditions greet Pavilion 5k runners in Buxton

Runners compete at the start of the Pavilion 5k in Buxton. Photo by Frank Golden.

Steve Watson (1st Male Vet 55) managed to knock almost a minute from December’s time, evidence of the hard training he’s undertaking towards returning to form. His time was 20.02, in fifth overall place.

Fellow team-mate Jake Fearn was first overall in 17.20, which was an eight second improvement from his last 5K despite the stiff breezes. First female and first Female Vet 50 was Buxton’s on-form Annette Fowler in a very respectable 21.34.

Jon Sewell (first MV45) was fourth overall in 19.59, Terry Fowler (first MV50) sixth in 20.51. Emily Mellor, newcomer to the club and showing fine form, was first FV35 in 26.50 and another recent joiner, Jasmin Reeves, was first FV45, 18th in a great 24.34.

Sam Franklin was first male junior in 22.25 (13th overall) and Matilda Reeves finished well in 21st place, first female junior, in 25.19.

Alan Scorer was first Male Vet 60, 14th, in 23.20 and visiting all the way from Australia to claim first Male Vet 65 was Dave Kelly in 27.30. Gabby Costello, unattached, was first FV60 in 26.51, and local runner Janet Brereton was first FV55 in 29.37.

Second fastest female runner in the country in all parkruns, and improving on her recent fifth place at Bakewell Parkrun, was Buxton’s Lauren McNeil in a stupendous 17.20 at Congleton.

Tatton Park was the venue for the penultimate Manchester Cross Country League fixture last Saturday and Buxton AC sent their finest to take part at this very scenic Cheshire country estate.

Eleven senior and veteran ladies took part, with Debbie Hope leading her team-mates home over the fast and flat five mile course in 90th place in 38 minutes and 51 seconds, while just five seconds later in 92nd position was the ever-improving Katie Rolfe. Tania Wilson closely followed in 96th place in 39.07. Completing the quartet was Kate Ledin, 146th spot in 41.11.

This gave the first team placing of 21st from 69 teams.

For the men, Jason Brunnock, at his first outing in the league, demonstrated his form by finishing 66th from a massive field of almost 500 over the 10K course in 36.15. David Fryer-Winder was 119th in 38.04, followed by Rick Aldred in 40.12, (191st), Matt Hawtin 41.33 (243rd), David Soles 41.58 (252nd) and Mark Thorogood 45.12 (333rd).

This gave the senior men 30th team placing from 62, and the veteran men 25th from 57.