Wirksworth Running Club members and their friends and family were out in force on Sunday 12 April staging the 2026 Mike Briggs Wirksworth Incline Races that attracted 181 runners. The Club even managed to field seven competitors too.
139 runners took on the main 6.4km, 208 metres climb race. Bonsall resident Reuben Orr (25:38) came over the line first for the men with Constance Jenneson (29:24) first for the women and in doing so successfully defended her title. Male and female second and third positions went to (respectively), Jack Broughton (25:47) and Guy Ward (26:38) and Catherine Williams (29:13) and Izzy Mai Wilson (30.51).
From left to right – Stephen Briggs (son of the Club’s late founder, Mike Briggs), Men’s Winner in 25:38 Reuben Orr and Longcliffe’s Chris Wainwright.
From left to right – Stephen Briggs (son of the Club’s late founder, Mike Briggs), Constance Jenneson (1st Female – 29:24), Jack Broughton (2nd Male – 25:47), Catherine Williams (2nd. Female – 29:13) and Longcliffe’s Chris Wainwright.
Our own Glen Morris (28:25) came 10th followed by Zack Hubbard (32.09), Andrew Watson (34:00), Graham Smith (37:30), Stef Brassington (38:00), Nick Hough (40:16), Liz Abraham (41:34).
All Main Race results can be found here https://www.webscorer.com/startlist?raceid=427204&details=1
In the ‘Short Incline’ a further twenty runners 11-14 year olds ran up to Middleton Top and back ‘side by side’ with the main field to give them a taste for a mass start fell race. There were some outstanding performances too – particularly from Joe Mosley and Matilda Smith who both set new course records for the boys and girls.
From left to right: Evie Willis (2nd. girl – 14:47), Jasper Kerr (2nd. boy – 14.01), Joseph Mosley (1st boy 13:22), Chris Wainwright (Longcliffe), Matilda Smith (1st girl 14:15), Robert Smith (3rd Boy 14.05) and Nancy Jean Hall (3rd Girl 16.07)
Earlier in the morning a further twenty two children aged 6-10 year olds competed in the Wendy Smith Juniors race on a hilly 800 m course. Most appeared to enjoy this ‘character building’ event with Alfie and Annie (below) taking home a beautiful trophy each to adorn their bedrooms.
Winners of the Wendy Smith Junior Fell race – Alfie Harrison and Annie Curzon
The Club’s next events this year will be:-
Tunnnels and Trails 10K and Fun Run
The 10K starts at 7.30pm. Register on-line on the WRC website. No ‘on the day’ registration so sign up soon to avoid disappointment!
The children’s Fun Run starts at 6.30pm. Register on the day for this race from 5.30pm.
The Undulator Fell Race (13.5km – 384m climb) is on Sunday 27th September @ 11am. Register on-line on the WRC website. No ‘on the day’ registration so sign up soon to avoid disappointment!
Finally many thanks to:
– The Longcliffe Community Fund who co-funded our lovely new medals as well as race banners for all our races this year. Much appreciated.
– All our volunteers who made the event happen. Some are Club members and some were friends and family that got roped in.
– Hannah Buchanan of the Wirksworth Pottery Company for designing and making our new medals
– Wirksworth Scouts! Thanks for providing the much appreciated food and drink.
– Derbyshire running events legends David and Eva Denton for helping at the start and bringing an extra sense of occasion