Charities winner in Vrnwy run

Sunday's race - held in aid of a number of local charities - was won by Kenya's Marc Yattich in a time of 65 min, 31 sec, with compatriot Patrick Makau marginally behind.

In third with a time of 68 min, 17 sec was another African, Zachary Kihari - of Birchfield Harriers - who won the race himself in 2004.

Local charities Hope House and The Severn Hospice were well represented in the event, with around 50 runners in total raising thousands of pounds.

The first over-40 veteran was Peter Coles of Pontypridd in 74 min, 34 sec, while Catherine Mutwa - another 2004 winner - took the ladies race with a time of 74 min, 34 sec.

Runner up in the women's class was Aldridge's Debbie Walters, who ran the course in a time of 81 min, 56 sec, while Amanda Dalkins of Birchfield Harriers, scooped second in 83 min, 19 sec.

Organisers praised the contribution of sponsors Asics UK and Severn Trent, while also paying tribute to the efforts of local special constables, residents and young farmers.

The first Olympian home was triathlete Nick Thomas in 53rd place with a time of 83 min, 43 sec - he was closely followed by fifth placed M50 Jon Hancock.

Olympian

Steve Rberts was eighth M50 in 86 min, 20 sec, with Paul Williams and Neil Bevan all following marginally behind.

Dave Newton was 81st overall, while Nick Blake was seventh M45 in 89 min, 58 sec.

Birgit Eyke was third M40 in 95 min, 27 sec and was over four minutes ahead fourth placed M40 Jackie Jarvis.

Bronwem Lord was the third Olympian home in 102 min, 17 secs, while Naomi Phillips ended up with a time of one hr, 45 min, 48 sec - ahead of third F50 Barbara Ward, who recorded a time of 1 hr, 49 min, six sec.

The first junior was Greg Wynne of Oswestry, with a time of one hr, 41 min, 39 sec, with the first Hope House runner - Ruthin's Andrew Jones - coming home in 1hour, 41 min, 37 sec.

Paul Cronin was the first Severn Hospice representative, with a very commendable time of 94 min, 50 sec.

The first local runner was village shopkeeper Wayne Godridge, who clocked in at one hr, 48 min, 24 sec - and just one second behind was Asics UK boss Ryoji Sekito.

The first Telford Athletics Club runner was Rich Jones, who finished as fifth M40 and 13th overall with a time of 76 min, 54 sec.

Kev Francis was seventh M40 in 79 min, 58 sec.

Maldwyn Harriers were represented by Hadyn Jones, who took second M45 in 80 min, 43 sec, while the first Shropshire Shuffler was Steve Hatton with a time of 82 min, 14 sec.

Anthony Nichols was first for Wrekin Runner in 85 min, 39 sec, while Steve Bellis ended up ninth M50 for Wrexham after completing the course in 87 min, 38 sec.

The first Shrewsbury lady was Grace Chillingworth with 90 min, 57 sec, with the first Bridgnorth lady being Lucy Dalton, who was seventh in a time of 90 min, 47 sec.

The first Newtown lady was Zoe Powell in 99 min, 19 sec and the first female Shropshire Shuffler to cross the line was Sue Whittingham, who ended up as the fifth F45 with a time of 1 hr, 42 min, 25 sec.

By Doug Morris

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