The Great Bakewell Pudding Race 27 June 2010

This year’s Great Bakewell Pudding Race took place on Sunday 27 June, kicking off Bakewell Carnival week.

The turn out was slightly lower than usual, particularly in the Junior/fun run, probably because of the very high temperatures and the small matter of the England vs Germany World Cup match later that day (they will wish they hadn’t bothered!).  Numbers in the senior fell run were still good, with 106 participants, many of them club runners, but with lots of local non-club runners who fancied a challenge.  The Senior Fell Run is 10.4 km (approximately 6.25 m) and follows paths up through the woods to Ballcross, to the top of Coombs Road, down to the river and then through the showground and back into the Recreation Ground.  The Junior/Fun 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. This year we cooled runners down by coming off the showground road and across the River Wye at the “big bend”!  This was a welcome, if unexpected, addition to the route – we hope to make it a permanent part of the course, but we will make a decision on the day, depending on river conditions.

The hot weather may have made it a tough run, but the conditions under foot were very good

The Senior Run was won for the second consecutive year by Stuart Bond of Dark Peak Fell Runners in a time of 38.54 – Stuart was well ahead at the “top of the hill” but eventually finished just over a minute ahead of Karl Webster of Matlock AC and Mick Stenton of Dark Peak, who were very well represented with five of the top ten places.  Stuart had finished fourth in the English Championships in the Yorkshire Dales the day before, so he could be excused for easing up a little!   The first woman was local woman, Anna Ford, in a time of 51.49 followed by Helen Allison and Juliet Head.  

In the Junior run (Intermediate 13-17 years old), Peter Stenton was first home in a time of 19.15, followed by Seb Cooke and Tamsin Boam.  Alex Sendall from Bakewell won the junior category, coming in fifth overall in a good time of 19.41, ahead of Jessica and Joseph Grindey. 

All entrants received an excellent Bakewell Pudding from the Original Bakewell Pudding Shop. A very big “Thank you” to the shop, particularly manager Gemma Pheasey, for stepping in at the last minute to provide the puddings at cost after our original sponsor withdrew.  We are also very grateful to the local businessman who met the cost of the puddings, but wishes to remain anonymous.

The organisers, John Scott and Joe Oldfield, would like to thank all those helpers who make it work on the day – without you it wouldn’t happen.  A particular mention to the ladies on the desks, plus all the many marshals and helpers, many from Bakewell Mannerians Rugby Club.  The race commentary and awards were given by the incomparable and entertaining Norman Taylor.  A final thanks to Bakewell Carnival Committee for their assistance in getting set up and providing the PA system and Red Cross for attending – fortunately they had a quiet day despite the heat.