Saturday 17th was the ‘RUN TO THE CASTLE’ ultra. The weather way lovely and warm with a strong wind off the sea to cool us down. It was a great route across beaches and sand dunes, up hills and across the Barmouth Bridge. It was officially 42miles which Ben Roper managed to do in 9hrs 36min.
Wednesday 21st August saw the first Telford and Wrekin Borough 5k Series organised by Telford Athletic Club. Just under 200 runners of all abilities ran a 2 lap undulating course around Madeley starting at the Ski Slope centre. Although labelled a "fun run" it was a challenging course along the Silkin Way and the scenic area around the Madeley Court Hotel. Costing just £3 entry for affiliated runners every finisher received a bespoke wooden medal.
First back for Newport and District Running Club and 6th overall was Will Dolding 18.41, followed by dad Phil Dolding in 11th position with 21.44. Darren Hesbrook-Edwards came in at 23.43 in 21st position. First Newport lady, Jo Lutner came 49th with 27.16, Donna Hesbrook-Edwards came 76th in 31.35 and John Stokes came 98th in 35.05. Neil Jones had to withdraw due to injury but went along to support his team mates, which was very much appreciated.
On a very hot bank holiday Sunday morning 6 Newport runners took to the streets of Ellesmere to take on the Ellesmere 10k. Darren and Donna Hesbrook-Edwards, David Brown, Neil Jones, Lee Sutton and Trudy Grant braved the high 20 degrees. The route took the runners from the Lakelands school, through the streets, a little bit of countryside, alongside the lake, down the canal and back into town and back into the school to the finish line.
David Brown was first in at 42:56, followed by Neil Jones (46:07), next in was Darren Hesbrook-Edwards with a time of 50:25. Lee Sutton was next home for Newport in 59:47, Donna Hesbrook-Edwards came in next with a chip time of 1:08:56. Unfortunately the heat was too much for Trudy Grant who had to pull out for safety reasons.
