At the AGM Chairman Andy Whittaker reported on another good year with a good number of juniors
training on Monday nights. We saw the comeback of Rob Atkin and Gerry White to active
membership and also welcomed a new signing, James Arnold.
A prestigious new addition to the womans section was Norma Kuszynski, the Mexican marathon champion in 1983 when she recorded 2 hours 43 minutes. World class in those days for women.
The new Grand Prix was going well as was the 10k handicap with Milltown Milers occasionally
sending guest runners.
Financially, Ian ilne continued to keep us in the black, mainly through increased entry fees in the
White Peak, although he was still on the touchline himself after major heart surgery.
Steve Mead and Tony Barrable also had to fight health problems, but the most bizarre one was
experienced by Gordon Cresswell who suffered a ruptured eardrum which was pierced by a twig on
a wooded section of the Black Rocks.
A suggestion was accepted for a structured programme of runs on Thursday nights, as was
the proposal of an inter-club challenge based on one of the LARA winter 5k races at the old baseball ground in Derby.
County cross-country vests were awarded in the various age categories
Tracey Erskine (FV)
Polly Veazey-French (U-13G), John Selby-Sly, Chris Young, Simon Flitter and Dan Yates .
County medals went to Gordon Cresswell(V40 Silver), Dan Yates (Silver) and Brian Howitt(Vet 60 Gold).
On the fells Dan Yates gained an England vest in his category – another tribute to
Randell Tassell, their coach.
Also running well on the fells was young Ricky Wood who would before long give priority to his
other forte: Kick Boxing.
But his name would eventually be immortalised in the FR Calendar in “Ricky’s Race”
In the summer of ’97 he organised a 3 mile run in Dimple Fields with the proceeds going to
the RSPCA. Although only 12 turned out he collected an amazing £400 from sponsors. At the time
of writing it has metamorphosed into one of MAC’s top fell races.
Mountain marathons like the Lowe Alpine and the Saunders were supported by John Heald, Dave
Furness, Barry Mosley, Neil Forrest, Helen Finlaysson, George Cummings as well as family teams like the Armisteads, Macdonalds and Meads.
Steve always denied that their main advantage was in only carrying one sleeping bag!
Star individuals included Karl Webster (Black Rocks 2nd, Tigger Tor 2nd),
Dan Yates(Grindleford and Bamford 3rd,Beetroot 1st, Ricky’s 1st) and
Esmond Tressider(Black Rocks and Bamford 3rd)
