Wednesday 17 April saw the first part of the Telford Athletic clubs annual Sexarathon Series which took place at Lilleshall Sports Centre, with the distance being 5 miles. The runners from all local clubs ran from the sports centre, then headed off down the long Lilleshall drive, took a loop around and then back up the drive to the finish line at the centre.
First back for Newport was Robin Guy in 35th place (0:30:18) then not far behind him was Tom Pope who came in at 58th place in 32 minutes and 17 seconds. Neil Fairbrother was 3rd in for the Green and Purple as he came in at 34:56 in 97th place. Phil Cross was next home in 35:46 (112th position). Philip Golding and Paul Hughes came in together in 126th (36:33) and 127th (36:35) place respectively. Elizabeth Bennett was the first Newport lady over the line in 129th place (36:39). Next in was Richard Bennett in 136th place (36:59) closely followed by Emily Pope in 37:58 (148th place). Simon Yap came in 11 seconds later in 150th place (38:09).
Other Newport runners to complete the race were 158th - Stephen Mansbridge (38:40), 164th - Philip Link (38:59), 165th - Nigel Ingram (38:58), 189th - Darren Hesbrook-Edwards (40:01), 191st - Neil Jones (40:05), 196th - Amy Hughes (40:16), 215th - Bernie Holbrook (41:17), 219th - Carrie Stokes (41:36), 220th - Selwyn Plant (41:39), 246th - Jo Lutner (43:10), 247th - Ralph Humphries (43:11), 262nd - Jennie Waters (44:09), 288th - Maff Wellman (45:31), 304th - Tracy Hartridge (47:23), 312nd - Helen Jackson (48:05), 315th - Lisa Yap (48:34), 320th - Toni Ireland (48:57), 326th - Donna Hesbrook-Edwards (49:17), 332nd - Heather Campbell (50:20), 333rd - Lorraine Meredith (50:25), 338th - Helen Reid (51:07), 339th - Catherine Gutteridge (51:09), 341st - Laura Sutton (51:23), 344th - Stewart Long (51:24), 351st - Sue Wylie (52:07), 361st - Jennifer Williams (52:43), 388th - John Stokes (55:52), Ollie Stokes (55:52), 407th - Esther Wright (58:34), 416th - Aimee Marriot (1:00:24) & 429th - Hilary Stevenson (1:03:50).
Thursday 18th was the second installment of the Stone Master Marathoners Spring Treble. A tricky 3-lap off-road race, with around 250m of climbing in just over 7km. Each lap circles the scout camp (usually closed to the public), winding past the river before heading up a steep set of steps, and then onwards towards the top of the course, the final climb of which reduced many runners to walking. After reaching the top, it was a very steep descent through the woods and back towards the main scout camp buildings. The 3-lap nature of the course means you know what's coming each time around. Newport runners who finished the race from 135 runners were in 17th place - John Taylor (37:05), 45th - Neil Fairbrother (41:30), 49th - Phil Cross (41:50), 96th - Selwyn Plant (49:34) and 99th - Bernie Holbrook (50:27).
Sat 20th saw one of Newports veteran runners notch up his 100th Parkrun at Telford town park. With some excellent sunshine and warm weather the Newport runners were out in force to celebrate Mark Deightons milestone. All celebrated at the end with the obligatory cake, hugs and handshakes.
On a very warm Easter Sunday morning of 21st April 4 Newport runners took part in the Chasewater Easter 10k & 5k which involved 1 lap round the lake for 5k and 2 laps round for 10k, the choices of laps were chosen by the runners. The course consisted of gravel paths, tarmac and a bit of woodland with one or two inclines for good measure. Out of a total field of 676 Liz Holbrook (31:13) and Trudy Grant (35:42) completed the 5k while Lee Sutton (59:06) and Bernie Holbrook (59:44) opted for another hot and sweaty lap to complete the 10k challenge. Both distances rewarded at the end with a medal and a Creme Egg which was advisable to be eaten promptly due to the heat.
