The Great Bakewell Pudding Race 26th June 2016

This year’s Bakewell Pudding Race took place on Sunday 26 June, with a good turn-out despite the mixed weather forecast.  After some heavy overnight and early morning rain, the weather for the run itself was ideal for running, with some sunshine and cloud. The conditions under foot were wet and slippery in places, with some very muddy stretches in the woods.

The turnout was good, with around 210 in total for the two runs.  There were 135 participants in the senior fell run, many of them experienced club runners.  The Senior Fell Run is 10.4 km (approximately 6.25 m) and follows paths up through the woods above Bakewell to Ballcross, back through the woods, to the top of Coombs Road, down to the River Wye, with runners crossing the river back onto the Recreation Ground, giving a refreshing “dip” just before the finish – the river was higher than usual because of the heavy rain before the run.

The Senior Run was won by Aiden Smith of Hallamshire Harriers in a good time of 39.59, about 1.30min behind course record, which was very good given the conditions. Billy Cartwright of Matlock AC came in second in a time of 40.18, but was first to the “top of the hill”. Luke Beresford of Ripley AC came in third in a time of 40.35. The first woman (13th overall) was Katie Walshaw of Holmfirth Harriers in a time of 44.35, just under 3 minutes behind her very impressive course record inn 2015, which Katie put down to the conditions on the day.  She beat Polly Keen and Kerry Marchant, with times of 48.08 and 49:44 respectively.

The Junior/Fun run had over 70 entrants, with a wide range in ages.  This run is 4.2km (approx 2.5 miles) and follows part of the Monsal Trail before coming back along the river to the Recreation Ground. Jade Bidgood from Australia won the Boy’s Intermediate run in a time of 15:50, just outside the new record which was set last year. Elliott Meylan came in second, with Joe Currie (first Junior boy) just behind in third place overall.  The first girl home was Junior Clarissa Rigby (21.07), followed by the first Intermediate girl Lily Phillips (21.20).  There was very good turn-out of juniors from Matlock AC, as there was in the Fell Run.

All finishers received an excellent Bakewell Pudding from the Original Bakewell Pudding Shop. Once again, the organisers, John Scott and Joe Oldfield, would like to thank all those helpers who make it work on the day and to Bakewell Carnival Committee for their assistance.

For more details please contact John Scott on jrsco@btinternet.com or you can find us on Facebook.