Wrekin Fell Race

Race Reports

The 40th Wrekin Fell Race, 5.5 miles and approx 550 m of climb, was held on a mild day, where we were lucky the rain held off during the run. A slightly reduced turnout was blamed on championship races elsewhere, meaning 94 runners turned out for this anniversary occasion.

The race takes us over the wooded Ercall (pronounced Arcall), then Little Ercall, before we are confronted with the steep clamber up through Forest Glen after which we emerge onto the main track up to the summit of the Wrekin. At the top there’s a quick twirl around the Trig point, and back down the same way. Whereas going up over the stony track isn’t too bad a proposition, running (faster) down isn’t very nice at all, only to be faced at the bottom with Forest Glen, again, and its loose surface of leaves and stones, before we struggle over the two Ercalls with another steep upwards clamber, before we run down to the road, and half a mile on tarmac to the finish at the school.

Paul Jones (Mercia) was first, by a mere 4 seconds, in 40.51. Gary P trotted round comfortably in 52.47 (36th), and was looking already cool and refreshed when I arrived at the finish (63rd, in 60.28). Next came Gary G, who’d been only 200m ahead of Flora at the summit, in 66.02 (80th). Flora ran a very fine race to be 1st FV55, in 69.13. Tom, bravely running despite a bad cough and a sore hip (amongst other things!), crossed the line in 76.20. Flora and I were very pleased with our prizes. The final race, the Cardingmill Canter, is on Saturday March 24th, starting at 2pm.

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