Eccles Pike Fell Race is a fell race run from Buxworth, Derbyshire to the top of Eccles Pike, then back again. The course is long with ascent, and is renowned for being short and demanding. It has been run intermittently since 1910, and perhaps earlier.
History
Eccles Pike is one of the oldest fell races in the country, and has a history going back over 100 years. Its start date is not known, but from 1910 a small cup was awarded to the winner, and the race venue would alternate between the nearby villages of Chinley and Buxworth each year. In the 1920s, the race became part of the Summer Garden Fete each June, and a larger silver cup was presented to the winner. The cup was first won in 1928 by Pat Campbell, the international steeplechaser from nearby Chapel-en-le-Frith; he went on to win the race three years in succession.
The original race series ended in 1937, but was revived in 1969 by the local church committee, and has been held most years since. The 1980 race saw John Wild set the course record of 18:14. Over the years the race has attracted several great names of fell running, with other winners including Ron Hill and Ricky Wilde.
There used to be separate ladies and junior races held on the same day, but now all athletes run together. The winner of the race is still presented with the 1928 cup, whilst the best junior receives the smaller 1910 cup. Since 1995, the race has been organised by local running club Goyt Valley Striders, and it takes place in Buxworth on the second Wednesday evening in August.
Results
Since the course was last changed in 2009, the best men's time is 21:28 by William Longden in 2024. The best women's time is 23:32 by Martha Tibbot in 2024. The fastest recorded time on any version of the course is 18:14 by John Wild in 1980.
Year Men Time Women Time 2026 Henry Webb 22:03 Katie Walshaw 26:07 2025 Mark Jones 22:20 Hollie Wall 27:28 2024 William Longden 21:28 Martha Tibbot 23:32 2023 William Longden 22:11 Harriet Wingfield 25:29 2022 William Longden 22:38 Lucy Bednall 28:03 2021 Andrew Heyes 21:58 Lucy Bednall 28:33 2020 COVID-19 pandemic 2019 William Longden 23:41 Lucy Bednall 28:17 2018 Nicholas Barber 23:30 Caitlin Rice 26:36 2017 Alasdair Campbell 23:28 Lauren McNeil 27:24 2016 Matt Elkington 22:40 Gwyneth Parry 27:29 2015 Robert Little 23:14 Hannah Brown 26:38 2014 Robert Little 23:08 Caitlin Rice 26:16 2013 Tom Bush 24:06 Caitlin Rice 26:55 2012 Jack Ross 22:43 Sandra Lewis 29:09 2011 Jack Ross 22:32 Olivia Bush 24:53 2010 Simon Coldrick 23:11 Emma Wilson 25:50 2009 Lloyd Taggart 22:38 Liz Batt 28:08 2008 Danny Hope 21:17 Clare Parker 26:47 2007 Phil Winskill 21:42 Lisa Lacon 26:21 2006 Lloyd Taggart 20:31 Jackie Lee 25:54 2005 Andi Jones 19:59 Estelle Maguire 27:34 2004 Andrew Jack Ellis 23:11 Jenny Caddick 31:54 2003 Lloyd Taggart 20:11 Naomi Greaves 26:15 2002 Malcolm Fowler 21:23 Jane Mellor 28:00 2001 Malcolm Fowler 21:16 Naomi Greaves 29:06 2000 Malcolm Fowler 20:44 Estelle McGuire 26:06 1999 Tim Austin 21:46 Elizabeth Batt 25:28 1998 Lloyd Taggart 20:53 Sheryl Reason 26:23 1997 Paul Deaville 22:20 Michaela Zazzi 27:38 1996 Andy Wilton 19:26 Kath Harvey 27:34 1995 Andy Wilton 19:47 Kath Harvey 26:26 1994 Andy Trigg 20:30 Sally Newman 25:12 1991–1993 not held 1990 Rob Jackson 20:41 S Boam 24:35 1989 Rob Jackson 20:27 K Martin 26:15 1988 Rob Jackson 20:44 A Jones 24:31 1987 Bashir Hussain 20:08 S ReasonJ Newton 1986 Robin Bergstrand 19:15 Carol Haigh 21:30 1985 Bashir Hussain 19:58 K Whittle 24:59 1984The Fell Runner, Jan 1985, 62. Paul Roden 19:56 Jane Spence 26:04 1983 Jeff Norman 19:50 Julie Holland 23:12 1982 Alan Sladen 20:46 1981 Alan Sladen 20:05 1980 John Wild 18:14 Gillian Pile 25:10 1979 Andrew Wilton 19:14 Jayne Dransfield 25:35 1978 Andrew Wilton 19:24 Miriam Rosen 29:21 1977 Colin Robinson 20:05 Brenda Robinson 26:07 1976 Ron Hill 1975 M. Green 1972–1974 not held 1971 Ricky Wilde 1970 Ricky Wilde 1969 B. Ellis 1938–1968 not held 1937 R. Walton 1934–1936 results unknown 1933 D. Mason 1932 C. Jepson 1931 E. Barnes 1930 Pat Campbell 1929 Pat Campbell 1928 Pat Campbell 1910–1927 results unknown
References
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