On Wednesday, a contingent from Newport & District Running Club made the short trip to Ironbridge to take part in the latest race in Telford AC’s Sexarathon series. This 4-mile race takes runners up and down the Ironbridge Gorge valley, starting and finishing just south of the Iron Bridge itself, with runners heading east through Jackfield, before crossing the river at Coalport, returning to the south side of the river by the Woodbridge, and returning to the start via the former railway and the road.
Leading the NDRC contingent in 38th place overall was David Clarke, who stopped the clock at 24 minutes, 51 seconds. Robin Guy was next, taking 3rd in his category, and 54th overall, in 25:18. Tom Pope was 95th, clocking 27:38, followed by David Brown in 110th with his time of 28:13. Next, in 115th place, was Phil Dolding, who ran a time of 28:42, just over a minute ahead of Phil Link, who was 133rd in 29:43. Alex Cochrane ran a time of 30:59 for 159th position, followed by Graham Rogers, who was 167th in 31:15, and Kirsty Greenhead, who clocked 31:26 for 174th place.
Amy Hughes was next for Newport, taking 221st position with her time of 33:52. Ralph Humphries followed, clocking a time of 35:56 in 249th place, just ahead of Helen Mason, who was 251st in 36:00. Mathew Richards stopped the clock at 37:04 for 27th place, just one position ahead of Louise Patterson, who clocked a time of 37:13. In 287th place was Selwyn Plant, who recorded a time of 37:44, whilst Elspeth Blake was 198th in 38:17.
Steve Cannon, running his second race in four days, finished 307th in a time of 39:54, whilst Anne Strowger won her age category and finished 319th overall with her time of 40:59. Matthew Humphries was 337th in 44:03, just one place ahead of Anne Richards, despite her slightly faster time of 43:56 (times are taken from timing chips, positions are taken “from the gun”, as it were). Liz Holbrook’s time of 45:16 secured 348th place, whilst John Stokes took 361st overall in a time of 48:43.
Newport & District Running Club 