The 10th Anniversary staging of Shrewsbury Athletic Club’s Mad Jack’s 5 Mile Race, held in conjunction with and with kind permission of the National Trust, proved to be a memorable day for the Club, with a new record turnout of almost 440 runners and taking 1st placings in the Men's and Women's races. The record field, over half of whom were unattached runners, enjoyed the challenging ground conditions created by the overnight rain and the popular section through the Trust’s pond.
First, second and fourth places in the Mens’ Race went to Shrewsbury Athletic Club runners, with Matt Hall, who led from start to finish, winning in 28/00, Paul Jones second in 28/49 and Gabe Morris fourth in 29/32. Third place went to Daniel Connolly, unattached, in 29/18. The Women's Race was won by Sara Willhoit of Shrewsbury Athletic Club in 32/22 – a race record, with Amanda Wright-Smith of Birchfield Harriers second in 32/58, Clare Thurgood of Orion Harriers third in 33/22 and Anna Bartlett of Shrewsbury Athletic Club fourth in 34/34.
National Trust General Manager at Attingham Park, Mark Agnew, praised the record turnout of runners and the contribution over the last 10 years of the proceeds of the race to the Trust’s funds and thanked the National Trust and local running club volunteers. Race organiser Kevin Francis praised the runners and the support of the race sponsors Rybrook BMW, Cotswold Outdoor, Up and Running and Salomon. The prizes were presented by Sam Tudor of Cotswold Outdoor and the prize of the weekend car, kindly sponsored by Rybrook BMW.
Category Winners:
Men: Senior Men: Matt Hall, Shrewsbury AC - 28/00, Over 40: Simon Barkley, Oswestry Olympians - 30/43, Over 45: Paul Jones, Shrewsbury AC - 28/49, Over 50: Kevin Francis, Shrewsbury AC - 32/03, Over 55: Victor Belshaw, Denbigh Harriers - 33/16, Over 60: Graham Jones, Shrewsbury AC - 32/48, Over 65: Pete Savill, Shrewsbury AC - 34/35, Under 17: Tommy Lincoln, Unattached - 38/13, Under 19: James Coleman, Unattached - 34/30.
Women: Senior Women: Sara Willhoit - Shrewsbury AC - 32/22, Over 40: Rachel Walmsley, Unattached - 36/30, Over 45: Amanda Wright-Smith, Birchfield Harriers - 32/58, Over 50: Kai Coleman, Unattached - 37/09, Over 55: Emma Collins, Denbigh Harriers - 38/48, Over 60: Libby Collinson, Shropshire Shufflers - 38/58, Over 65: Jan Ousby, Market Drayton RC - 58/18, Over 70: Kathy Ling, Wrekin Road Runners - 86/32, Under 17: Josie Jenkins, Shropshire Shufflers - 51/51, Under 19: Lucy Grayston, Shrewsbury AC - 39/18, Under 23: Josie Lloyd, Mercia Fell Runners - 37/12.
Thanks to Colin Wiliamson for the Pics: Main image - race start, Gallery, Matt Hall, 1st Male, Sara Willhoit, 1st Lady.
