Welcome

Matlock Athletic Club - Running for Life! Formed in 1976, Matlock Athletic Club provides competition for runners of all ages and abilities from the recreational runner to the competitive athlete. Based at the Arc Leisure Centre in Matlock with the beautiful Derbyshire scenery on our doorstep, training nights are Mondays at 6.00pm and Thursdays at 6.30pm. The club also hosts the popular White Peak Marathon and Half Marathon, two annual fell races, the Whitworth Thread 5K and a triathlon, and also gives practical support to a number of other local races. Enjoy our website and feel free to get in touch.

2014 WHITE PEAK EVENTS

Information on the 2014 White Peak Marathon and White Peak 'Swift Half' can be found by clicking on Events>white peak marathon, or >white peak half marathon.

Entry forms will be posted on these pages on January the31st 2014.

2013 MATLOCK TRIATHLON

The 2013 Matlock Triathlon was held on Monday the 26th of August.

Winners were Eugene Grant and Kate Morris and almost 200 took part.

Thanks to all the club members who helped and to the prize donors - Dave Newton of John Palin Wholesale for the fruit boxes, Siobhan Sheridan of First Ascent for the outdoor kit and Stanley Fearn's for the discounted cycling gear.

The club (and also the swimming and cycling clubs) will see a benefit of £335 and over £1000 will be going to charity.

News

Kids do us proud on Saturday!!

Due to an away weekend at Hope for birthday celebrations for club member, Andy Whittaker, entrants in the local races from Matlock AC were down in numbers this week and, although, we may not have entered any races, there was certainly some 'marathon' over-indulgence going on! So it was left to the kids in the main to do us proud and they certainly did!

On Saturday, 7th December the North Midlands League Cross Country at Shipley Park, Heanor took place. This being the 3rd race in a series of 4. The weather was ideal for cross country and the course superb.

In the U11 girls' race, Michaela Dick was 9th and Lizzie Webster 13th on a course of 2.0K. Elspeth Grant was 7th in the U13 girls over a distance of 3.1K. John Webster, with tired legs from competing in the Interschools Cross Country at Ashbourne the day before where he gained 2nd place, ran well to take 18th in the U15 boys over a distance of 4.7K. Mick Moorhouse, came 1st MV60 in 46.31 over the 10K distance. In the 6.8K ladies' race, Nicky Dick attained 2nd LV50 in a time of 32.20.

Also on Saturday, the last race of the year in the 'No Walk in the Park 5K' series of monthly races at Queens Park, Chesterfield.

The overall winner was Lee Morris of Sutton-in-Ashfield in 17.13 and the ladies' winner was Helen Grainger of Hallamshire Harriers in 20.05. Matlock's Andy Lessiter came 8th overall in a time of 19.07 and Jim Thorneycroft 2nd in MV55-59 category in 21.39. In the 1,500 Fun Run, Bronwyn Lessiter was 3rd overall in a time of 6.16.

Very well done to all.

Me! Me! Me! Footprint of a Runner

This is a new section of the website and is about promoting the individual runners who make up our club. It will give an insight into why people run, what keeps them motivated and other interesting snippets. It will take the form of an interview with a different Matlock AC member each month - young and old. Let's find out what makes US TICK! I have got my first 'victim', so watch this space for the first interview to appear in January 2014. So, please contact me if you wish to take part and I will prepare a list of future interviewees!! Doesn't matter if you have just started running or you feel your running achievements are minimal. Also you get to provide your own photo!!

Jan

Matlock AC bristles with talent at the Decorators League

The sunny weather on Sunday 1st December lifted the spirits of the 15 Matlock AC members (equalling our best turnout), creating a great atmosphere for Race 3 of the Booths Decorators League (BDL) at Trent Meadows, Long Eaton. There are 13 local running teams in this very keenly contested league and this occasion was no different. Prone to flooding, the muddy conditions made for tough going underfoot but Matlock thrived under pressure and pulled out some outstanding performances. Special mention to Colin Davenport, who was 7th overall, our first top 10 position and to Simon Brister for his first time in this league. Also, thanks to Helen Brunt of Buxton AC who ran 2nd claim for us.

In a field of 202 runners and with a team ranging in ages from 14 to 71, there were some impressive results across the board from Matlock AC.

First man home was Stuart King of Heanor RC in a time of 26.59 and first lady home was Lisa Palmer also of Heanor in 31.22.

Matlock's Men's Team finished 4th overall - a team record, and the Mens/Ladies combined team finished 3rd overall - also a record

Clive Russell as 1st MV70 and Jan Forrester as 1st LV60 clinch their trophies, as these age groups only need to do 3 of the 5 races to secure the category win. The others, however, will need to battle to the end of the 5 race series.

Full results can be found in the Results Section under Booths Decorators League.

Matlock results -

Colin Davenport	28.32	7th overall
Andy Lessiter	31.31
Alan Pickering	32.25
Simon Croft	32.43
Greg Woodward	33.20
Ed Hoon	33.53	3rd JM - bettering his 4th place at Chaddesden in Race 2
Simon Brister	34.09	1st MV60
Martin Lea	34.36
Nicky Dick	36.45	2nd LV50
Mick Moorhouse	37.27	3rd MV60
Clive Russell	37.49	1st MV70
Jan Forrester	40.08	1st LV60
Julie Goodwin	40.55	3rd LV45 - bettering her 4th place at Chaddesden
Jim Thorneycroft	40.55
Helen Brunt	43.10

Outgoing chairmans thanks

As you will know I have stood down from the post of Chairman after serving in the position since 2000. I would like to express my thanks to the committee and club members who I have had the pleasure to work with during this period. To the club membership in general my appreciation for all the hard work you have put in, and continue to do so, in the organisation and running of the events that we put on. Alan Pickering has been elected as the new chairman, I am sure that the membership will give their support in helping Alan and the committee move the club forwards Dave Hill

Promoting Matlock AC

We are hoping to raise the Club's profile in various ways but one which has lapsed and, I think, is important, is having race reports in the Matlock Mercury, hopefully on a regular basis. I think this is important, not just for club members, but for the general public interested in sport to see what we are up to. This may also encourage new members to join.

I go to as many races as I can, which I can report upon with photos, but obviously can't be everywhere. Therefore, if you are competing or have a supporter, please send me a report and photo if possible.

Here is an idea of what I require:

Name of Event

Type of Event eg if fell, road, trail etc. Triathlon, duathlon, (anything with running in it!)

Day, Date

Weather Brief description of conditions. Rain, sun, snow, mud underfoot, windy etc etc

Result eg position in field and age group position if poss. Also if other Matlock AC members taking part. I know it is

difficult to give exact timed positions but just 1st, 10th, 180th, 1,000th whatever would be great.

Name of first man and first lady

The reports have to be in to Matlock Mercury by Tuesday first thing, so please get stuff to me in plenty of time; as I am aware that most races are on the Saturday and Sunday. If it is impossible to do so and it may be worth waiting for results from race organisers, send in as much info as possible and I could look up the results and I could always put the report in the following week.

I do not want just local stuff, if you are doing a race anywhere else in the country, or the world for that matter, let me know as we do not want to be seen as parochial! It doesn't matter if it is a local 5K run dressed as santa or a world qualifying triathlon in monte carlo! (I wish); it will be interesting to someone!!

There will be more info and news on the website, including a Facebook page, forthcoming events (including targeted team events at which as many Matlock AC members as possible take part); so please get in the habit of checking it out. Also the Forum can be useful for arranging lift sharing to events with other club members.

Please also contact me with any queries, suggestions regarding publicity, forthcoming races etc.

Thanks. Happy running

Jan