Sunday September 11th 2022 finally saw the post-covid return of the Tibberton Trot, a 10k race hosted by Newport & District Running Club which debuted in 2019. Starting and finishing on the playing fields at Tibberton school, the scenic route takes in the village itself, as well as the surrounding lanes and bridleways to the north of the village, featuring a few undulations to challenge the runners.
This year saw 135 runners take on the course, including 12 NDRC members, as well as a number of local residents who were competing for the Owen Meredith shield, awarded to the fastest male and female runners who live in Tibberton or Cherrington. The competitors were greeted by a pleasant, cool, misty morning, which turned to sun later on, meaning that any worries of the return of the rain from earlier in the week were thankfully misplaced.
Before the race started, everyone present observed a 2-minute silence as a mark of respect for the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, whilst volunteers at the event wore black armbands.
The first two positions on the podium were contested between members of Shrewsbury AC, with Gabriel Morris taking the overall win in a time of 34 minutes, 17 seconds, pulling out a gap of 50 seconds over his clubmate Ben Gibson, who took 2nd overall in 35:07. Dominic Gardner of Tipton Harriers completed the podium, stopping the clock at 35:26. 4th overall, and 1st in the M40 category, was Paul O’Brien of Telford AC, clocking a time of 36:24. John Higgins took M50 honours in 43:03, and Steve Willacy took the M60 prize in 44:11. Brian Woodall of Shawbury Joggers was the fastest M70 runner, stopping the clock at 59:58.
First female finisher, and 11th overall, was Sarah Thurley of Wolves and Bilston AC in a time of 41:53, whilst 2nd place was closely fought between Claire Thompson of Vale Royal AC (23rd overall in 45:24), and Charlotte Edwards, who was 24th in 45:52. The F40 prize was awarded to Kim Robbins, who finished in a time of 49:49, whilst Pamela Hardy of Shawbury Joggers took F50 honours in 54:22. The F60 category went to Sue Johnson of Mercia Fell Runners, whilst Anne Strowger of Newport & District AC took the F70 prize in a time of 1:03:47.
The Owen Meredith shield, awarded to the highest placed male and female runners living in Tibberton or Cherrington, was won by Ben Locke, who finished 22nd overall in a time of 45:01, and Marie Llewellyn, who was 45th in 50:11.
David Clarke was the first NDRC member, taking 5th place overall in a time of 36:58, with David Brown, in 14th, next with his time of 43:11. 45th overall was Gary Mountford, clocking 49:55, followed by Richard Skingsley in 48th place in 50:52. Maurice Reid ran a time of 51:22 for 51st place, whilst Jennie Waters stopped the clock at 56:04 to finish 73rd.
Ralph Humphries was next, his time of 57:51 securing 79th position, whilst Simon Taylor was 85th in 59:34.
Tracy Hartridge was 88th overall with a time of 1:00:14, with Mark McEvilly not far behind her in 1:00:51, taking 89th place. Anne Strowger was 108th to finish, in a time of 1:03:47, followed by Liz Holbrook, who was 116th in 1:07:28, and Jo Lutner, who took 118th spot in a time of 1:09:25.
Race organiser Martin Murdoch wishes to extend his thanks to everyone involved in putting on the event: the sponsors, particularly main sponsor LogaLog, volunteers, runners, and the local community, all of whom contributed to a fantastic event.
