Midlands Regional XC

The cross-country season is now reaching a peak. With most of the league races out of the way and the county championships concluded for another year, the regional championships have been on the agenda over the last fortnight.

Starting with the Midland Masters (formerly known as veterans) event on 22^nd January, this was far from a convention of hobbling pensioners. The event at Droitwich brought together some of the best evergreen athletes in the midlands region with Matlock AC being represented by two of its best.

In the ladies event it was Christine Howard who ran away with the honours in the 40-44 age category, finishing 3^rd overall to two 35-39 runners. This went some way to setting the record straight after a slightly disappointing county championship a fortnight earlier which left her trailing a couple of Derbyshire athletes who were convincingly behind her this time.

In 8^th place overall and 4^th in her 35-39 age category was Matlock’s Steph Spencer who, although on this occasion was running for her first claim club of Derby AC, was only 40 seconds adrift of Christine.

In the men’s race it was another gold medal in the bag for Matlock courtesy of a splendid run by Simon Brister in the 60-64 category. Simon put many seasoned veterans well behind him to finish almost a minute clear of his fellow bus-pass holders.

Fast forward by a week and it was Wollaton Park in Nottingham which provided the spectacular setting for the Midland Open cross-country championships. With much more youth on display it was the chance for some of the club’s youngsters to witness the big race experience.

First on the agenda was the under 13 boys event over 3km. Towards the bottom end of their age groups, John Webster and Sam Allen were expecting to be in for a rough ride. A ferocious pace was set at the front end, stringing the field out almost instantly. John finished in 57^th place with Sam taking 96^th.

In the under 13s girls’ race Matlock’s Emily Croft, who was only just old enough to compete, also had a taste of what the wider competitive world has to offer. Finishing 107^th out of 130 was an achievement to be pleased with against girls, in many cases, 2 years older than her.

The ladies’ event, once again, had Christine Howard battling it out with the best in the region. Tracking her friend and fellow Matlock AC runner Jenny Reed (running for her first claim club of Notts AC), there was only 16 seconds by the end separating them, with Jenny taking 35^th place and Christine in 36^th in a field of 170. Nicky Dick also did herself justice with a great run finishing 79^th in what will be her final season before stepping up to the 50-plus age group.

Finally, the last race of the day was for the senior men. Taking a plunge into the unknown in his first race of such concentrated quality was Simon Croft. His baptism of fire in amongst over 400 runners had him finishing 239^th and pleased to see the finishing line.

County cross country & Shining Cliff

It’s been a busy weekend for some of Matlock AC’s athletes. Saturday involved a trip down to Markeaton Park to take on the county’s runners in the Derbyshire cross-country championships. The recent heavy rain had left the usually well-drained parkland course soft and heavy going at times.

The first race – the under 11 girls over 1500m – brought the club’s only individual gold medal of the championships courtesy of Hope Hanby’s fine performance, edging out the competition by a single second. A great run by a promising young athlete.

The under 11 boys’ race had Rueben Orr taking on boys a whole year older than him and excelled himself, finishing just out of the medals in 4^th.

Emily Croft was the club’s only runner in the under 13 girls’ race having only just moved up into that age group. Some tough competition saw her finish in 9^th place but, having only recently turned 11, it was a commendable show.

In the under 13 boys’ race Matlock AC had enough lads to make up the required number for a full team. Led by Cameron Orr who took 3^rd place overall, the support from John Webster in 14^th and Sam Allen in 17^th earned Cameron a double bronze with the team podium place, only beaten by the considerably bigger clubs of Derby and Amber Valley.

The ladies’ race over 8km was a tough run for Christine Howard who finished 7^th against some youthful competition, although the age-related reward of the silver medal in the 40-49 age group shows her continuing determination. Nicky Dick, taking 3^rd place in the 40-49 category in her first county championship, provided the back-up along with Julie Goodwin to secure the silver team medal for that age group.

Finally, the club’s men lined up to do battle over 10km. A welcome return to Matlock AC by Josh Moody showed he is well on the way back to fitness taking 4^th in the under 20s category. The rest were all veterans, or masters as the new euphemism goes, except for young Simon Flitter who finished 15^th senior. The masters’ team title was taken by Andy Whittaker, Karl Webster, Simon Croft and John Hurley. Mick Moorhouse, John Birch and Rob Allen were the other runners along with Clive Russell taking 2^nd over 60, only a month short of is 70^th birthday.

The next day it was the first of 2012’s Shining Cliff fell races. Almost 150 turned out for a very muddy experience on the woodland slopes between Alderwasley and Ambergate. The clear winner over the 7km was Peter Hodkinson of Erewash Valley RC.

First Matlock runner home was birthday boy Mick Moorhouse expecting that his new-found 11 hour old status in the over 60 category would bring the dividends associated with the diminishing benefits of ageing. However, much cursing could be heard as it became apparent that only 11 seconds ahead of him was a man of equal age and similarly youthful looks. These old men, eh!

Next it was Christine Howard taking the 2^nd lady’s position before John Birch and Nicky Dick, all pinning on their numbers for the second consecutive day, and Mick Kuszynski.

In the junior race which provided the supporting event, John Webster took 2^nd place, his sister Elizabeth was 1^st girl and Marianna Kuszynski was 3^rd girl. 

Beetroot Race

BOXING DAY FELL RACE

 The record turnout of 28 runners in Matlock AC’s Boxing Day fell race was due to the exceptionally mild conditions but perhaps also reflected the growth in membership since they relocated their headquarters to the new sports centre.

Limited to members and guests, the race was won yet again by Esmond Tresidder who clocked 25 minutes 23 seconds for the two mile climb to the Bole Hill summit plus the same route back to High Peak Junction.

 At the Black Rocks car park Richard Bradbury was looking good in second place but he had to settle for third as the long striding Karl Webster clawed back the lead on the Sheep Pasture descent. Christine Howard was first lady in 8^th place.

In the Junior category Sam Allen and John Webster finished equal first in 14.25,  and Emily Croft was first girl .

 For full results read more

Read more: Beetroot Race

Clowne Half Marathon

The 26th Clowne Half Marathon took place on Sunday 27th November 2011, which was also a Derbyshire County Championship race.  Fortunately the rain had stopped giving way to bright, cool but chilly weather conditions, with a strong wind.  Matlock Athletic Club had a good day considerinfg the windy conditions.  Christine Howard won 1st Lady Vet O/35 and 3rd Lady home in a time of 1.30.08.  Jan Forrester came home as 2nd Lady Vet O/55 in the championships in a time of 1.54.25.  Male Runners James Thorneycroft (1.33.20), Richard W Bradbury (1.26.20) and Alan Pickering (1.24.57) winning the Clowne Road Runners Club Half Marathon Veteran Team Trophy and Shield (a first for Matlock AC).  Alan also collected a 2nd place medal in the championships.

Lee Jones

The sad news has been revealed that the 19 year old who tragically passed away on Scafell at the weekend was Lee Jones.

Many members will remember Lee as one of our very talented junior members when in his early to mid teens who indeed, as a protege of Randell, held a place in the England fell running squad and represented the country here and overseas.

He was recognised as a determined competitor and, with the bit between his teeth, no-one around him could be assured a place ahead of him. His short powerful stature coupled with his lively personality earned him the affectionate nickname Jumping Bean and his cheerful disposition was always welcomed by everyone who trained and raced with him.

Eventually, Lee's running gave way to other interests, most notably gym work, but he was often seen around at our training venues (Fitness Forum and the Lido) working out with his mates. He threatened a time or two to resume his running career and start thrashing us all which was probably not entirely in jest. He even ran the London Marathon last year for fun.

As a club we offer our condolences to Lee's family and friends and remember with fondness his all too short life.

Please see the forum for further details.