On Sunday, Alex Cochrane of Newport & District Running Club took 6th place overall in the Half Marathon at the Cannock Chase Running Festival. Also including 10k, 5k and junior races, the festival is a partnership with RunThrough and #TeamNewlife, a charity that raises funds for disabled children.

Alex during the race

Taking place in very cold, but dry, conditions, the route takes runners on an undulating tour of Cannock Chase’s scenic network of trails and paths, with signs and marshals used to mark out the course through the forest. Having originally entered the 10k, Alex switched to the half marathon on the day, and ran a very quick PB of 1 hour, 33 minutes, 49 seconds, which secured him 6th place overall, and that was with a stop to tie his shoelaces!

Alex after the race