Caradoc Classic Hill Race

The second race in the High Sports of Shrewsbury Summer Hill Running Series takes place on Wednesday 13th May as the action moves to the Caradoc Classic. A 3 mile race in Church Stretton up and down Caer Caradoc, organised by Simon Daws from Ironbridge on behalf of Telford Athletic Club. The race is the oldest in the Shropshire mid week series and was first held in 1986. Last year Mercia's Emma Gould, who has made a massive impact on the fell running scene in recent years, as she won the race in 27.37, just 30 seconds outside of the course record that she set the previous year with Mel Price from Church Stretton, the 2011 winner, chasing her home in second in 27.42. 

The mens race was won by Mercia's Jon Bowie, from Trefonen near Oswestry in 24.24, which puts him 35th on the all time list, his team mate Dominic Jones was second in 24.33. The course record for the mens race is held by Tim Davies from near Welshpool, former British and Welsh Champion who ran 22.09 when 
winning in 2004. The race registration on Wednesday is at the Church Stretton Social Club, Essex Road, entries £5, the race starts at 7.30 pm.

Paul Sanderson 

Sheinton Steeplechase

Telford Athletic Club had a great turnout of 14 runners at the Sheinton Steeplchase 3 mile multi terrain race on Wednesday. Sheinton is a fantastic setting for the race and the undulating but very picturesque route involves country lanes, fields and woodland, organised by Sheinton resident Graham Hughes in aid of the local church. Claire Martin led the way, taking part in the race for the first time in several years won the ladies race in 22.22 finishing 7th overall and some exactly 20 seconds ahead of second placed Mel Price running from Mercia whilst Telford AC's Lucie Tait Harris was third in 25.27. Jess Harvey just back from getting an excellent bronze medal in the European Duathlon Championships was the 4th lady home in 25.51. Denise Sanders the 5th lady was also the first over 45 in 27.03, whilst Sharon Clayton was 13th lady and 2nd over 45 in 32.13.

Two athletes who were racing again for the first time since the recent London Marathon were Jamie Davies who finished the 5th man in 21.54, behind the race winner Robin Sedman Smith from Newport who crossed the winning line in 20.27 and Nick Thomas, the next Telford AC man home and the first over 50, 10th in 22.57 whilst Bruce Gregory was 30th in 26.31 and the 3rd over 50. Dave Hopkins was 35th and 2nd over 60 in 27.13 with Greg Perkins 38th and 3rd over 60 in 27.40. Alan Hodgkiss was the other prize winner as he took the first over 70's prize finishing 58th in 38.52. Other finishers were Paul Sanderson 45th, Ian Beattie 53rd and Dave Davies 60th.

Paul Sanderson

Midland Track and Field League - Telford

Telford Athletic Club started their senior track and field season in fine style as their Midland League team that competes in Division 3 of the 6 division league finished second by just one point in the opening fixture held at the Telford Stadium. The final points score saw Halesowen win with 342 points, Telford 341, Tamworth 321, Charnwood 255, Kettering 202 and Coventry 195. 

Two promising young athletes led the way as Krystof Danek and Kyle Gladwin won the A and B long jump and triple jump giving Telford maximum points. Krystof won the A string long jump with 6.23m whilst Kyle won the B with 5.43m, in the triple jump the roles were reversed with Kyle winning the A event jumping 11.83m and Krystof the B with 11.70m. Hayley Rubery and Danielle Langdale dominated the womens pole vault winning the A and B events in 3.30m and 3.00m respectively. Sarah Mackness prepared for the British University Championships by winning the 1500m in 4.54.6. Malcolm Dawes won the 400m hurdles in 61.9 and had a busy afternoon as he also finished 2nd in the 110m hurdles in 17.0 as well as taking 3rd in the high jump clearing 1.75m. Paul Ward transfered his good form from the cross country and road to the track as he won the 5000m in 15.47  whilst James Eggleston made his club debut taking 3rd place in the B race with 17.53.2. 

Josh Burrows scored valuable points with a double second place in the 800m, 2.02.3 and 4.16.8 for the 1500m, whilst Rhys Furlong and Ryan Heath collected first places in the B events in 2.02.1 and 4.17.1. Gregor Sukara - Fielding vaulted well to place second in the pole vault clearing 2.90m whilst club president John Bradley was second in the B event clearing 2.50m. Michelle Clarke ran well as she made her track debut coming 2nd in the 3000m in 10.58.4. Hayley Rubery followed up her success in the pole vault with second in the discus throwing 34.45m whilst her team mate Kim Carter won the B event throwing 33.93m. Kim had a busy afternoon as she also came 2nd in the A shot 8.39m, 5th in the A javelin 15.61m and 4th in the A hammer 20.39m. Amy Bowen showed the benefits of a good winters training as she came second in the womens 100m and 200m in 12.8 and 26.0. Mark Embrey scored valuable points as he took part in 4 field events with 4th A shot 8.86m, 3rd A discus 22.34m, 5th A hammer 20.00m and winning the B string javelin with 36.11m.

Other results were

Tino Dummett 2nd 100m A 11.3, Andy Flint 3rd 100m B 12.0, Michael Dickens 5th 200m A 23.7, Haydn Finn 2nd 200m B 23.9, Richard Rubenis 4th 400m A 52.7, Rhys Furlong 2nd 400m B 54.4, Gregor Sukara Fielding 2nd 400m Hurdles 77.5, Duncan Birtwistle 3rd 2000m Steeplechase 7.00.2, Ashley Slater 1st 2000m Steeplechase 7.09.2m, Jamie Carter 4th Shot B 7.15m, 4th Discus B 16.78m, 3rd Javelin A 44.15m, John Bradley 3rd Hammer B 12.13m, Sinead Johnson 4th 100m B 13.9, Sophie Bleazard 2nd 200m B 27.5, 2nd Javelin B 8.46m, 3rd Long Jump A 4.58m, Rachel Coupe 4th 400m A 67.4, Danielle Langdale 3rd High Jump A 1.40m, Daisy Sukara Fielding 3rd Shot B 5.16m

The next Midland League meeting takes place at Tipton on Saturday 6th June.

Paul Sanderson