Sunday saw the third running of the Tibberton Trot, a multi-terrain 10k race which takes place every September in and around the villages of Tibberton and Cherrington in Shropshire. After a hot week, this year’s race took place in warm, muggy conditions, and the course took runners on an anti-clockwise lap which took them around the village of Tibberton before taking in fields, roads and tracks in the surrounding countryside.

Alan Sims celebrates as he crosses the line!

This year saw the race almost sell out, and the field of 175 runners was the biggest yet, with the heat not quite putting everyone off! The race was dominated from start to finish by last year’s winner, Gabe Morris of Shrewsbury AC, who completed the course in 36 minutes, 36 seconds, exactly 40 seconds ahead of Telford AC’s Paul O’Brien. Andrew Salt (unattached) completed the men’s podium with a time of 37:57. 

Overall winner Gabe Morris approaches the final lap of the playing fields at Tibberton School

The women’s race was won by Cristina O’Brien of Telford AC; she finished 17th overall and clocked a time of 44:28. Second was Bindy Wilcox (unattached), who was 22nd overall in a time of 47:10, followed by Kim Fawke of Lawley AC, who took 29th overall with her time of 48:47. This race also gives a prize to the leading local residents, both male and female, and the Owen Meredith Memorial Shield was won by Chris Clulow (male) and Millie Bishton (female).

Cristina O’Brien (#85) leads the way in the women’s race!

There were also category prize winners, with David Clarke of Newport & District RC taking the M40 prize, John Higgins taking the honours for M50, Andrew Hubbard first in M60, and Philip Howarth of Wrekin Road Runners winning the M70 prize. F40 was won by Hazel Burgess of Trentham RC, Mary Ann O’Neill of Wrekin Road Runners won the F50 prize, while F60 went to her clubmate Kate Christian, and F70 went to Pauline Newton of Market Drayton RC.

Most of the category prize winners!

The race was a collaboration between the local community in Tibberton and Cherrington, alongside Newport & District RC, with 85 volunteers operating to make sure the race went ahead smoothly. As well as some very experienced marshals, many people were marshalling at a running race for the first time, and everyone’s efforts were appreciated by the runners. All prize winners were presented with a wooden trophy which, on closer inspection, turned out to be a fold-out cheese board complete with all the tools included inside! All prizes were presented by Sue Byrd, of LOGaLOG, a sponsor of this year’s event.

Martin Murdoch leads the marshals’ briefing early on Sunday morning!

Newport & District Running Club were represented by 14 runners in the race, with David Clarke leading the Novaportan contingent with his 6th place overall in a time of 39:18 which bagged him the aforementioned M40 prize. Matthew Walley was next, 16th overall in 43:00. Phil Hardy took 59th position overall in a time of 54:02, followed by Vance Heath, who ran a time of 54:37 for 60th place. Elly Blake was 81st in a time of 58:59, just ahead of Jo Lutner, who was 87th in 59:21.

Team NDRC at the Tibberton Trot!

Tracy Hartridge took 115th spot with her time of 1:04:53, whilst Frances Galvin was 124th in 1:06:10, and Wendy Tonge clocked 1:09:18 to finish 138th. Helen Edwards stopped the clock at 1:10:49 to finish 143rd, followed by Ralph Humphries in 146th (1:12:01), having out-sprinted his son Matthew, who was 1 place and 23 seconds back. Sally Morgan and Louise Heath ran the course side by side, and both finished in 1:19:10, bagging 164th and 166th places respectively.

Tim Taylor (centre) seemed to be enjoying himself!

Photos taken at the 2k point (free downloads) are here.

Photos taken around the finish area, including prize winners (free downloads) are here.

More photos, taken in a variety of locations (free downloads) here.

A video taken on the day can be found here.

Official results can be found here.