On Saturday, fifteen members of Newport & District Running Club made the short journey along the A518 to take part in the “Gnosall 10k(ish)”, an 11.2km multi-terrain race which can test runners to the limit. Renowned locally as one of the tougher races around, the route takes runners on a tour of the local countryside, via muddy canal towpaths, grassy fields, narrow paths up steep hills, the local boardwalk over a marsh, puddle-laden farm tracks, and other assorted pathways. 

Mat Richards (#235) on the Gnosall boardwalk

Starting and finishing at Gnosall Sports and Social Club, the whole community comes together annually for this race, which also sees a fun-run for children take place on the sports club fields. David Clarke was the first NDRC runner to finish, taking 3d place overall in a time of 46 minutes, 18 seconds and also winning his age category. Alex Cochrane was next, taking 15th position overall in a time of 49:50, which also secured him first place in the under-20 category and the Sam Myatt award, given to the quickest junior runner in memory of Sam, a local youngster who was sadly killed in a car accident in 2019. Alex’s uncle, David Evans, finished 63rd overall with a time of 58:17.

Kay Wilkinson-Smith (#309) on the way to the finish line

Richard Bennett was next for Newport, taking 94th place in 1:01:29, just ahead of Phil Cross, who was 96th in a time of 1:01:34. Mathew Richards clocked 1:02:05 in 101st position, whilst Kay Wilkinson-Smith was the first Newport female runner to finish in a time of 1:04:41. Annabel Bolton finished 141st with her time of 1:06:07, just ahead of Phil Hardy, who was 145th in 1:06:23. Jennie Waters finished 156th in 1:07:23, whilst Ralph Humphries was 196th in 1:11:46.

Simon Yap carrying his daughter Celeste through a flood!

Keith Robins was 3rd in his age category with his time of 1:14:43, and 218th overall, whilst Liz Holbrook ran a time of 1:20:09 in 265th place. Anne Strowger won her age category, taking 298th position overall with a time of 1:27:22, just ahead of Simon Yap, who was running with his eldest daughter Celeste, who has recently turned 17 and was doing her first ever 10k, finished 310th in 1:28:49.

Alex Cochrane won the Sam Myatt award for fastest under-20 year old