Eccles Pike Fell Race Explained

Date:August
Location:Buxworth, England
Type:Fell race
Distance:3.41NaN1
Est:pre-1910
Record:21:58 (Andrew Heyes)
23:32 (Martha Tibbot)

Eccles Pike Fell Race is a fell race run from Buxworth, Derbyshire to the top of Eccles Pike, then back again.[1] The course is 3.41NaN1 long and includes 1001NaN ascent, and is renowned for being short and demanding.[2] It has been run intermittently since 1910, and perhaps earlier.[3]

History

Eccles Pike is one of the oldest fell races in the country, and has a history going back over 100 years.[4] 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.[5] 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
2024[6] William Longden21:28Martha Tibbot23:32
2023[7] William Longden22:11Harriet Wingfield25:29
2022[8] William Longden22:38Lucy Bednall28:03
2021[9] Andrew Heyes21:58Lucy Bednall28:33
2020COVID-19 pandemic
2019[10] William Longden23:41Lucy Bednall28:17
2018[11] Nicholas Barber23:30Caitlin Rice26:36
2017[12] Alasdair Campbell23:28Lauren McNeil27:24
2016[13] Matt Elkington22:40Gwyneth Parry27:29
2015[14] [15] Robert Little23:14Hannah Brown26:38
2014[16] Robert Little23:08Caitlin Rice26:16
2013[17] Tom Bush24:06Caitlin Rice26:55
2012[18] [19] Jack Ross22:43Sandra Lewis29:09
2011[20] Jack Ross22:32Olivia Bush24:53
2010[21] Simon Coldrick23:11Emma Wilson25:50
2009[22] Lloyd Taggart22:38Liz Batt28:08
2008[23] Danny Hope21:17Clare Parker26:47
2007[24] Phil Winskill21:42Lisa Lacon26:21
2006[25] [26] Lloyd Taggart20:31Jackie Lee25:54
2005[27] [28] Andi Jones19:59Estelle Maguire27:34
2004[29] [30] Andrew Jack Ellis23:11Jenny Caddick31:54
2003[31] [32] Lloyd Taggart20:11Naomi Greaves26:15
2002[33] [34] Malcolm Fowler21:23Jane Mellor28:00
2001[35] [36] Malcolm Fowler21:16Naomi Greaves29:06
2000[37] [38] Malcolm Fowler20:44Estelle McGuire26:06
1999[39] [40] Tim Austin21:46Elizabeth Batt25:28
1998[41] [42] Lloyd Taggart20:53Sheryl Reason26:23
1997[43] Paul Deaville22:20Michaela Zazzi27:38
1996[44] [45] Andy Wilton19:26Kath Harvey27:34
1995[46] [47] Andy Wilton19:47Kath Harvey26:26
1994[48] Andy Trigg20:30Sally Newman25:12
1991–1993not held
1990[49] Rob Jackson20:41S Boam24:35
1989[50] Rob Jackson20:27K Martin26:15
1988[51] Rob Jackson20:44A Jones24:31
1987[52] Bashir Hussain20:08S Reason
J Newton
1986[53] Robin Bergstrand19:15Carol Haigh21:30
1985[54] Bashir Hussain19:58K Whittle24:59
1984[55] Paul Roden19:56Jane Spence26:04
1983[56] Jeff Norman19:50Julie Holland23:12
1982[57] Alan Sladen20:46
1981Alan Sladen20:05
1980John Wild18:14Gillian Pile25:10
1979[58] Andrew Wilton19:14Jayne Dransfield25:35
1978Andrew Wilton19:24Miriam Rosen29:21
1977Colin Robinson20:05Brenda Robinson26:07
1976Ron Hill
1975M. Green
1972–1974not held
1971Ricky Wilde
1970Ricky Wilde
1969B. Ellis
1938–1968not held
1937R. Walton
1934–1936results unknown
1933D. Mason
1932C. Jepson
1931E. Barnes
1930Pat Campbell
1929Pat Campbell
1928Pat Campbell
1910–1927results unknown

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fellrunner — Wed 18 Aug 2010 — Eccles Pike . 2010-08-18 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  2. Web site: Eccles Pike Fell Race . Goyt Valley Striders.
  3. 32-33 . Fell Racing in the Peak District . September 1989 . Bill Smith . Bill Smith (fell runner) . The Fellrunner.
  4. Web site: Eccles Pike Fell Race . Goyt Valley Striders.
  5. Web site: History of the Eccles Pike Fell Race . Goyt Valley Striders.
  6. Web site: 2024 results . 2024-08-16 . dmy-all . Goyt Valley Striders.
  7. Web site: 2023 results . 2023-08-09 . dmy-all . Goyt Valley Striders.
  8. Web site: Results: Wed 10 Aug 2022 — Eccles Pike . 2022-08-10 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  9. Web site: Results: Wed 11 Aug 2021 — Eccles Pike . 2021-08-11 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  10. Web site: Results: Wed 14 Aug 2019 — Eccles Pike . 2019-08-14 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  11. Web site: 2018 Results . 2018-08-08 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  12. Web site: 2017 Results . 2017-08-09 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  13. Web site: 2016 Results . 2016-08-10 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  14. 127–128 . Eccles Pike . Autumn 2015 . Maz Simon . The Fellrunner.
  15. Web site: 2015 Results . 2015-08-15 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  16. Web site: Results: Wed 13 Aug 2014 — Eccles Pike . 2014-08-13 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  17. Web site: Results: Wed 14 Aug 2013 — Eccles Pike . 2013-08-14 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  18. 167 . Eccles Pike . Autumn 2012 . Kevin Day . The Fellrunner.
  19. Web site: Results: Wed 15 Aug 2012 — Eccles Pike . 2012-08-15 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  20. Web site: Results: Wed 17 Aug 2011 — Eccles Pike . 2011-08-17 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  21. Web site: Results: Wed 18 Aug 2010 — Eccles Pike . 2010-08-18 . dmy-all . The Fell Runners Association.
  22. Web site: Eccles Pike Fell Race — Results — 2009 . 2009 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  23. Web site: 2008 Results . 2008 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  24. Web site: 2007 Results . 2007 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  25. 83 . Eccles Pike . October 2006 . Mark Whelan . The Fellrunner.
  26. Web site: 2006 Results . 2006 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  27. 72 . Eccles Pike . October 2005 . Mark Whelan . The Fellrunner.
  28. Web site: 2005 Results . 2005 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  29. 71 . Eccles Pike . October 2004 . Mark Whelan . The Fellrunner.
  30. Web site: 2004 Results . 2004 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  31. 71 . Eccles Pike . October 2003 . Mark Whelan . The Fellrunner.
  32. Web site: 2003 Results . 2003 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  33. 56-57 . Eccles Pike . October 2002 . Mark Whelan . The Fellrunner.
  34. Web site: 2002 Results . 2002 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  35. 27-28 . Eccles Pike . October 2001 . Mark Whelan . The Fellrunner.
  36. Web site: 2001 Results . 2001 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  37. 2 . Eccles Pike . February 2001 . Sue Stafford . The Fellrunner.
  38. Web site: 2000 Results . 2000 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  39. 34 . Eccles Pike . October 1999 . Sue Stafford . The Fellrunner.
  40. Web site: 1999 Results . 1999 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  41. 32 . Eccles Pike . October 1998 . Sue Stafford . The Fellrunner.
  42. Web site: 1998 Results . 1998 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  43. Web site: 1997 Results . 1997 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  44. 12 . Eccles Pike Fell Race . February 1997 . Sue Stafford . The Fellrunner.
  45. Web site: 1996 Results . 1996 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  46. 10 . Eccles Pike Fell Race . February 1996 . The Fellrunner.
  47. Web site: 1995 Results . 1995 . Goyt Valley Striders.
  48. 9 . Open Country Eccles Pike Fell Race . February 1995 . Stuart . The Fellrunner.
  49. 28 . Eccles Pike Fell Race . January 1991 . The Fellrunner.
  50. 33 . Eccles Pike Fell Race . January 1990 . The Fellrunner.
  51. 16 . Eccles Pike Fell Race . June 1989 . The Fellrunner.
  52. 13 . Eccles Pike . May 1988 . Alan Bocking . The Fellrunner.
  53. 29 . Eccles Pike . Spring 1987 . The Fellrunner.
  54. 56 . Eccles Pike Races . January 1986 . Al Evans . The Fellrunner.
  55. https://www.fellrunner.org.uk/documents/fellrunner/1985_Jan.pdf The Fell Runner, Jan 1985, 62.
  56. 59 . Eccles Pike . January 1984 . Alan Evans . The Fellrunner.
  57. Book: Stud Marks on the Summits: A History of Amateur Fell Racing 1861-1983 . Bill Smith . Bill Smith (fell runner) . 1985 . SKG Publications . 13709937M . 219–20, 519.
  58. 42 . Eccles Pike Fell Race . January 1980 . The Fellrunner.