MAC History 2019

JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH

The New Year’s Day Hangover Race organised by David Denton took place from the new venue – The Bull’s Head, Belper.  80 runners took part with Ricky Wood taking 3^rd place.

The parkruns are popular with MAC especially Bakewell, Poolsbrook and No Walk in the Park, Chesterfield.  At Bakewell Oliver Brocklehurst in the MU20 category is improving weekly with a win in February and it is good to see David Davidson, Martin Lea and Ann Armistead back from injury and trying to get back to fitness.

The Derbyshire XC Champs took place at a very dry Wollaton Pk, Nottingham in January.  In the U11 Boys Arthur Limb took gold and Jacob Jones silver and the team secured gold.  Hayley Gill VW35 gold and Jan Forrester VW65 gold.  The Ladies’ Master’s Team of Hayley, Christine Howard, Alison Pye and Jan took team silver.  U13 Boys’ claimed team bronze.  Karl Webster MV45 bronze and Mick Moorhouse MV65 bronze.  The Men’s Master’s Team of Colin Davenport, John Thorpe, Karl and Simon Croft took silver.  U13 girls Team bronze.  U17/UI20 combined 5,000m race saw Elsbeth Grant take gold, Lizzie Webster bronze.  The MAC team including Michaela Dick took gold in the U17 and silver in the combined U17/20.

In January, it was the 4^th race of 5 in the BDL, now sponsored by Derby Runner, this was at a new venue at Bramcote Hills, Broxtowe as Trent Meadows, Long Eaton has been sold. 27 MACs took it on and with appearances from Dan Haworth, Harry Holmes and Billy Cartwright, catapulted MAC into 1^st position in the Men’s, Ladies’ and Combined for the first time ever.  In the final race 5 at Holmesbrook Valley Country Pk, Chesterfield in February MAC fielded 29 and won the Triple.  There were also many individual awards too.  An amazing achievement.

MAC had a few runners at the Northern Athletics XC Champs at Pontefract Racecourse and all put in good performances, including the juniors, for which it was a great experience.  MAC were also represented at the English National XC Champs at Harewood House, Leeds.  Always a good leveller and great experience for the youngsters.

MAC are hoping to make inroads with some great team results and hopefully individual results too on the fells this year, as Stuart Bond, formerly Dark Peak FR and Kieran Allanson, Achille Ratti, Alasdair Campbell, Buxton plus others joined MAC.  Already MAC are winning team prizes as well as some regular appearances in the Top 10, including securing a 1,2,3 at Hope Winter FR – Harry Holmes, Dan Haworth and Billy Cartwright.   In the first race in the English FR Champs at Church Stretton MAC were 4^th team with a 7^th Dan Haworth, Harry Holmes 10^th, Alasdair Campbell 22^nd, Joe Oldfield 47^th, Keiran Allanson 53^rd, Billy Cartwright 58^th.

The Peak Trail Running Series is popular especially with the MAC ladies and the first one at Bakewell, Hayley Gill was 1^st lady with Helen Emmerson, Molly Gorman, Abi Waterfall, Karen Morley, Laurie Croft, Michelle Lester and Emma Phillips also in the race.

Many MACs are taking on long distance stuff this year with a good turnout in Grindleford Gallop (33k) and Edale Skyline (34k).

The last race of 6 in the MAC 10k age graded handicap saw 76year old Clive Russell win the MAC cap.  Fastest time on the night was Zak Hodgkinson  34.48 and 1^st lady Emma Turner.

The Annual MAC XC was held as usual at Darley Bridge.  The winner of the Boys’ U12 – Alex Currie, 2^nd Arthur Limb, 3^rd Jacob Jones.  U16 – 1^st Bertie Elphick, 2^nd Oliver Lloyd, 3^rd Charlie Ross.  Girls – U12 – Caitlin McCloy, Ellen Corke, Marlene Mettam.  Seniors – 1^st Birtie West, 2^nd John Thorpe, 3^rd Ian Watson.  Ladies – 1^st Shelley Fairey, 2^nd Emma Turner, 3^rd Alaina Bond.

44 members turned out for the annual MAC Senior Presentation at the Gate Tansley for buffet and awards.  Ricky Wood won the Senior GP and Emma Turner won the ladies’.

At the Junior Award Presentation at the Arc, the winners of the Junior GP were – U10G Georgia Belbin.  U10B Jacob Jones.  U12G Sophie Hopkinson.  U12B Alex Currie.  U14G Amelia Corke. U14B Bertie Elphick.  U16G Lizzie Webster.  U16B Oliver Lloyd.

APRIL, MAY, JUNE 2019

Coniston 14 always popular with MAC saw 6 MACs make the trip but unfortunately Steve Holt who has done race over 20 times was unable to go due to health problems.

Meanwhile the new Bakewell Parkrun 5k on the Monsal Trail continues to gain popularity with many MACs taking part weekly.

Membership is thriving still with many new members signing up and continued success on the fells.

Carly Spear and Paddy Wright took on Paris Marathon with style – 3 hrs 35 mins and 3 hrs 1 min. respectively.  Ricky Wood did Boston Lincs Marathon in 2 hrs 56 mins.  London Marathon saw 8 MACs take place with Nick Holland top placed MAC in 338th 2 hrs 38 mins 38 secs and Colin Davenport 862nd in 2.47.29. Edinburgh – John Thorpe 2.56.02 and Alaina Bond 3.22.21.   Whereas many MACs favour the half marathon distance – Sheffield; Longhorn; Granada, Spain; North Lincs.

Nicky Dick took part in the 2019 Pontevedra ITU Multisport World Champs taking on the tough Standard X Triathlon.

The juniors continue to thrive with a waiting list as there are so many want to join.  They are all doing well in their own Junior GP with races at Whitworth Thread, Trust 10k & 5k Longshaw and Buxton Pavilion 5k.   1st so far in U16 boys Charlie Ross, Girls – Sophie Hopkinson.  U12 boys Jacob Jones, girls – Marlene Mettam.

In the 2nd Senior GP race at Higham Hill Dan Haworth and Harry Holmes 1st and 2nd, a repeat of last year’s result whereas many MACs made their debut races.  Billy Cartwright, Dan and Harry also took on the Howgills FR (23k/2,070m) along with Zak Hodgkinson, Joe Oldfield, who used to be a MAC member in his youth, Kieran Allanson (rejoined from Achille Ratti), Matt Nichols, Jack Cummins, Geoff Cooper and Bradley Stone.  Several MACs represented Derbyshire in the British Inter Counties Hill and Fell Running Champs, Todmorden, Lances.  Taking Gold from 20 team.

MAC fell runners continue to shine in some of the toughest races in the country and at the end of June were 2nd place in the British Fell and Hill Running Champs 2019 and equal 3rd with Helm Hill in the English.  An amazing achievement.  They also took the team prize in the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Race (37.4k/1,608m).

Peak Rail 7 Runner-v-Steam was a great success (the brain-child of Jim Thorneycroft) with good weather afrer the snow and cold of the previous year.  215 runners took part with 129 entrants beating the train. £1,200 was raised for local charitites.

In the BDL Series of Trail Races MAC have put in some fine performances even though the best male runners have not yet taken part this series so far.  The Men are standing 6th and Ladies’ 1st with combined team placing of 4th. Also been some good individual category wins and top 3 placings. 2 races to go.

Special menton to Hayley Gill who continues to improve with a 3rd lady in Derby Half Marathon 1.27.20 (PB).

Christine Howard, new member Nick Gant, Peter Wilmot continue to take on Ultra stuff with great success.

MAC have even had success in track with Juniors Caitlin McCloy, Freya Lester, Bertie Elphick, Christian Keeping, Oliver Brocklehurst taking part at theDerbyshire Athletics Track and Field Champs, Moorways, Derby.

The Ian Milne White Peak Marathon nearly did not go ahead as early on in the season a new marathon starting at Ashbourne on the Tissington Trail took place 3 weeks before.  MAC pulled out all the stops and brought the entry date forward.  Numbers were down but the half was full as usual.  Then a couple of weeks before a lorry demolished a bridge at Longcliffe and the tunnel at Hopton was closed for repairs.  With a diversion through farmer’s fields all went ahead with great success.  The winner was as last year Ty Farrer Hungtingdon AC in 2.43.29 and lady winner Leah Williams Loughborough Uni Orienteering Club 3.01.57.  Several MACs took part in the marathn and half with Nick Hollan winning in 1.13.39.  Leonie Shipley, Chesapeake RR was 1st lady in 1.25.04.

15 teams of 4 took part in the 4 x 2 mile relay at the Hairy Helmet Relays at Darley Park, Derby. The Men’s team of Dan Fletcher, Zak Hodgkinson, John Thorpe and Nick Holland retained the Hairy Helmet for another year.  There were wins in FV160, Mixed Open, Ultra Vets 240, Mixed Team 64.

The new Tour of Bradwell Relay covering 57k with 6 to a team was won by MAC – Dan Haworth, Billy Cartwright, Harry Holmes, Ricky Wood and Alasdair Campbell.

JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 2019  MACs took on the Endure 24 race in Leeds – a round the clock event comprising of 5 mile loops in the grounds of Bramham Park.  There were 2 teams – Jack Cummins, John Thorpe, Simon Flitter and Zak Hodgkinson finished in 4^th in category and 9^th overall.  The 2^nd team completed 39 laps and finished 9^th from 100 teams in category.

Derwent River Relays in Belper took place early July and  7 teams took part including juniors.  Each team of 4 run a 2.9 mile loop.  The men’s team were 2^nd, senior women 1^st, mixed junior team 1^st. In the Mixed veteran team, one team was 2^nd and one team was 4^th.

The popular Winster Hill Race was well represented by 30 ACs.  Elsbeth Grant was 1^st lady, Ian Watson 1^st MAC home, Sophie Hopkinson 1^st Junior lady and Jan Forrester 1^st LV60.

In Crich Monument Race Dan Haworth was 1^st and Hayley Gill 1^st vet lady and 2^nd lady overall.

MACs own race – Black Rocks Fell Race – was much better attended than last year – 209 runners to 84 last year, which was because it was the same night as one of the England Football Team matches in the World Cup.

The Snowdonia Trail Half saw John Thorpe finish 9^th overall and Paddy Wright 12^th.  Carly Spear and Martin Lea also took part.  Unfortunately, Matt Nichols had to retire from the Trail Marathon due to injury.

MACs conquered Snowdon in the International Snowdon Race also in July.  Billy Cartwright and Dan Haworth represented England as part of a 4 man team.  England were 2^nd to Scotland with teams from as far away as Japan taking part.   Billy was 9^th, Dan was 123th, Harry Holmes 20^th, Stuart Bond 26th, Geoff Cooper and Les Thurston also took part.

At Hardwick 10k Laura Bassett, Alaina Bond and Emma Turner were 1^st ladies’ team.

John Thorpe was 32^nd in the Lakeland 100 50 miler (3,069m) in 9 hours 39 minutes, Alaina finished in the top 30 ladies in 12 hours 27 minutes, Derek Chetwin 12 hours 9 minutes.

AUGUST  It was the last race of 5 in the BDL Summer Trail Series at Shipley Park Heanor.   The Men finished 6^th, Ladies’ 2^nd and in the Combined 6^th.  Also the presentation for the Winter Cross Country League. MAC finished 1^st in the Men’s, 1^st in the Ladies’ and 1^st in the Combined.  With several individual age category wins and places too.

Ricky’s Race had over 200 runners with Clive Russell 77 taking part.  Ben Cartwright was 2^nd this year after a win last year.

Stuart Bond returning to fitness and in the sky blue after joining MAC from Dark Peak earlier in the year took the win at Pilsley FR.

At Wilne 10k (incorporating the Derbyshire Athletics 10k Champs and the Midland Masters Champs).  In the Derbyshire Champs Mike Blair, 2^nd in MV35, Jim Thorneycroft 1^st in MV55, Hayley Gill 3^rd lady and 1^st in LV35 category.

SEPTEMBER  David Denton’s 3 x 1.8 mile relay at Alport Heights proved popular with MAC with 1^st and 2^nd place and the junior team of Jacob Jones, Logan Fairey and Will Croft 1^st place in the U17 category.

Nicky Dick continues to take on International and National triathlons in Lusanne, Switzerland, Brighton to name a couple.  Alasdair Campbell finished 9^th from 35 in the British FR Champs.

In the Great Kinder Beer Barrel Challenge at Edale Team Gladioli made up of mostly MACs – Chris Perry, Paddy Wright, Karl Webster, Zak Hodgkinson, Ben Cartwright, Richard Bradbury and Joe Oldfield retained the trophy from last year and Team Gladi-Old-Guys – also mainly MACs – Chris Hallas, Mark Pollak, Antony Lester, John Thorpe, Jason Turner, Jack Cummins and 17 year old Birtie West the youngest participant and for the first time a Ladies’ team of 6 MACs – Shelley Fairey, Lottie Riddle, Emma Turner, Carly Spear, Kelly Lyn and Chris Howard were 1^st.

In the English FR Champs Dan Haworth finished 4^th, Billy Cartwright 7^th and Harry Holmes 9^th.  IN the Team standings MAC were 6^th which is an amazing achievement given the competition – Keswick, Dark Peak, Helm Hill, Ambleside and Calder Valley.

OCTOBER, NOVEMER, DECEMBER 2019

OCTOBER

It was the first race of 5 in the Winter League Derby Runner BDL at Shipley Park, Heanor.  Very wet conditions with 19 MACs, despite a group of 12 MACs travelling to Palma for the annual trip for the Half Marathon and Marathon.   The BDL race was also in the Senior GP.  In Palma in 30 degree heat Colin Davenport was 5^th in 2 hours 49.14.

It was also the first round of the N. Mids XC League at Markeaton Park, Derby with 8 juniors taking part.  Dan Haworth, Harry Holmes and Geoff Cooper also had their debut on the course.

It was the first race in the series of 8 Age Graded 10k Handicap runs too.  Route goes from the Arc Matlock through Hall Leys Park to the Pav, Matlock Bath and back.

Chester Marathon saw some great results with 8 MACs taking part – Hayley Gill running her first marathon, Ian Watson, Chris Hallas, Christine Howard, Dave Armshaw, Nick Harrison, Dan Ashcroft and Jack Cummins.  This was enough to win the title of England Athletics Marathon Team Champions of 2019.

In the British Fell Relay Champs at Ladybower MAC had 3 teams with the A team taking an amazing 7^th place.  Billy Cartwright, Alasdair Campbell, Joe Oldfield, Harry Holmes, Stuart Bond and Dan Haworth.  The B team was 43^rd – Pete Watson, Paddy Wright, Derek Chetwin, Rich Bradbury, Matt Nichols and John Thorpe.  The Vet 50 team were 137^th of 224 teams – Simon Croft, Pete Wilmot, Mark Elwis, Andy Hall, Geoff Cooper and Bob Foreman.

October also saw the Northern Athletics XC Relay Champs at Graves Park, Sheffield, represented by Jacob Jones, Logan Fairey, Andrew Slater, Sam Sargeant, Callum Burch, Alfie Clarke, Josh Brooks, Christian Keeping and Oliver Lloyd in the boys and Lilli Gerrilli, Erin Wooliscroft and Georgia Belbin in the girls.

NOVEMBER

And the rain continued.  So much so that the Dovedale Dash was cancelled due to waterlogging of the car parking area.

MAC were also represented in the National XC Relays at Berry Hill, Mansfield with over 1,000 runners from all over the country.  4 runners per team.  Paddy Wright, Oliver Brocklehurst, Colin Davenport and John Thorpe took part after torrential rain produced a mudbath.

Jan Forrester with son, Joe took on the 100 mile stage race in India a race she had wanted to do for 20 years – 24 miles day 1, 20 day 2, full marathon – the Everest Challenge Marathon day 3, 13 miles day 4 and 17 miles day 5 and at atltitude.  Jan and Joe had an  incredible time and completed the challenge.  Jan in 33 hours 22 mins, 1^st LV60 and Joe 27 hours and he was also 2^nd in the Everest Challenge Marathon and 2^nd on day 4.

BDL Race 2 was at Chaddesden Park, Derby.   311 runners.  After 2 races the Men’s Team is 7^th and the Ladies 1^st and combined 4^th.

Hayley Gill used the Club’s free golden ticket to take on the Silverstone Half Marathon and came an impressive 2^nd place.  Jason Turner did Clowne half and John Thorpe set a new course record in the Avenue 5k at Wingerworth in 17.53.

MAC Members age graded 10k saw new member (but he used to be in the club a few years ago) Tony Barrable take the lead.  Numbers well down due to the flooding of late.

At the AGM Beccy Owen stepped down as treasurer and Dan Ashcroft was voted to the role.  Gavin Simmonds won the Club London Marathon place after his name was pulled out of the hat of 14 runners.  Jan Forrester was voted as a Lifetime Member and Andy Lessiter won the Chairman’s trophy for his outstanding work on the White Peak Marathon and Half.  Kathryn Berrisford takes on the role as Race Director for next year when the 2 races are joined by the ‘Down in a Shot 10k’ to make a Running Festival.  Antony Lester chose the name of the race.

DECEMBER

Race 3 in the BDL was at Pewit Golf Club, Ilkeston and 19 MACs took on the very muddy race.  Billy Cartwright was 2^nd overall and Hayley Gill 4^th lady.  This leaves MAC men’s team in 6^th place, the ladies in 2^nd and combined 4^th.

Bolsover 10k was in the Senior GP and 22 MACs took part with Dan Fletcher coming 4^th.  One race to go in the GP – The Derbyshire XC Champs on 4^th January.

Several MACs are taking on Peak Raid navigation events with differing results.

35 MACs took part in the Annual Christmas Fancy dress run finishing at the Red Lion on Matlock Green.

The Beetroot Race had 64 runners, the most ever and was in the Junior GP which concluded for the year. U16 winner boys – Oliver Lloyd, Charlie Ross, Christian Keeping.  U16 girls – Sophie Hopkinson, Amelia Corke, Lizzie Webster.  U12 boys – Jacob Jones, Logan Fairey, Heath Fairey.  U12 girls – Georgia Belbin, Caitlin McCloy, Marlene Mettam.