Race Date Sunday 29 May 2022
Writing this on Tuesday morning, everything still hurts. Sore big toe as the left foot slid forward on the final descent into Buxton, sore calves due to an exaggerated lean forward on the steeper climbs, sore quads caused by hammering the downhills trying to make up time lost on the 1508ft of ascent (more than the Sheffield Half) and an aching left hip probably caused by the camber (country lanes are fine if you can manage to run on the crown of the road for thirteen miles). The sore back was the result of poor core stability whilst a bruised ego from yet another personal worst rounded it all off quite nicely.
Looking at some of the post-event photographs on Facebook, everyone seems to be so happy – this must be the effect of the endorphins for elsewhere the race is described as brutal. With no polite introduction to the discomfort the first three miles are a steady climb up the A53 but once the route goes off the main road the hills (and descents) get steeper. As advertised the course passes through some stunning Peak District scenery if energy is available to take it in; Glutton Dale may seem cute but it ain’t. Personally, the finish through the Pavilion Gardens was the best part.
First FSEN all set to fly after the three mile slog up the A53. This next section proved to be awkward at times with some large vehicles trying to access the Buxton Raceway. (photo www.racephotos.org.uk)
Organisation was spot on with three feed stations, rubber mats laid over the nine cattle grids, hoards of marshals, a tastefully reserved t-shirt with a near absence of Formula One style advertising logos, a finishers medal if you have the hairy chest to set it off whilst you could even enter on the day. With this race being part of the club’s road race championship nearly thirty Strider’s took part with Gillian Allen (FSEN) and Nick Booker (M50) gaining top spot on the podium for their relevant age group. This strength in depth led to Gillian Allen, Sarah Allcard and Alison Barrett being the first team, Kathryn Liddiard, Kate Scott and Tessa Bainbridge second team with Adrian Fisher, James Storey, Nick Booker and William Hitchmough first Men’s team.
Kevin Haighton enjoying one of the few flat parts of the course before collapsing over the line. He also got shoved out of the way at one of the feed stations for his pleasure. (photo www.racephotos.org.uk)
First woman across the line was F45 Hayley Gill (Matlock) 1:27:35 and first man Gareth Griffiths (Unattached) 1:17:22. Full results:
Buxton Half Marathon 2022 Results
| Posn | Name | Cat | Chip | Gun |
| 12 | Adrian Fisher | M45 | 01:25:23 | 01:25:25 |
| 18 | James Storey | M45 | 01:26:47 | 01:26:49 |
| 20 (1) | Nick Booker | M50 | 01:28:36 | 01:28:37 |
| 27 | William Hitchmough | MSEN | 01:29:59 | 01:30:04 |
| 37 | Darren Barnett | M45 | 01:32:14 | 01:32:18 |
| 46 (1) | Gillian Allen | FSEN | 01:34:12 | 01:34:15 |
| 73 | Malcolm Baggaley | M40 | 01:39:04 | 01:39:08 |
| 90 | Sarah Allcard | F45 | 01:42:25 | 01:42:28 |
| 99 | Joe Dunne | MSEN | 01:43:26 | 01:43:30 |
| 100 | Alison Barrett | F45 | 01:43:27 | 01:43:42 |
| 102 | Steve Gourlay | M40 | 01:43:56 | 01:44:09 |
| 111 | Kathryn Liddiard | F35 | 01:45:22 | 01:45:27 |
| 113 | Neal Pates | M55 | 01:45:36 | 01:45:41 |
| 133 | Steve Blake | M45 | 01:48:17 | 01:48:33 |
| 161 | Kate Scott | F55 | 01:53:27 | 01:53:31 |
| 162 | Tessa Bainbridge | F35 | 01:53:23 | 01:53:39 |
| 164 | Peter Brown | M60 | 01:53:56 | 01:54:08 |
| 174 | Abigail Hickinbottom | F40 | 01:55:15 | 01:55:31 |
| 176 | Sarah Percival | F40 | 01:55:39 | 01:55:46 |
| 186 | Karen Clark | F55 | 01:57:22 | 01:57:32 |
| 187 | Kevin Haighton | M60 | 01:57:28 | 01:57:43 |
| 198 | Brian Jenkins | M45 | 01:58:11 | 01:58:26 |
| 232 | Christopher Smith | M45 | 02:03:17 | 02:03:38 |
| 245 | Kevin Wong | M45 | 02:07:19 | 02:07:40 |
| 254 | Christine Booth | F45 | 02:09:33 | 02:09:57 |
| 262 | Nada Ross | F55 | 02:11:20 | 02:11:40 |
| 271 | Kimberley Macpherson | FSEN | 02:13:08 | 02:13:25 |
| 333 | David Bownes | M65 | 02:55:07 | 02:55:29 |