A record turnout of over 500 runners competed in sunny conditions and against a backdrop of autumn colours when Shrewsbury Athletic Club staged their 11th Mad Jack's 5 Mile Race at Attingham Park on Saturday, held in conjunction with and with kind permission of the National Trust. The race continues to go from strength to strength, with the record turnout of last year being exceeded by almost 100 runners, and with the percentage of unattached runners increasing to two thirds of the entrants this year, all of whom overcame the challenging ground conditions created by the overnight rain and the popular section through the Trust’s pond.
After a close contest in the Mens' Race, Jack Agnew of Mercia Fell Runners forged ahead to win in 28/48 from Paul Jones of Shrewsbury AC 2nd in 29/05, with Joe Phillips of Newport and District Running Club 3rd in 29/14. It proved to be a successful day for the host Club, with six runners in the first twelve finishers. The Womens' Race was dominated by Sara Willhoit of Shrewsbury AC who won in 32/06, with Elena Davies of Market Drayton Running Club 2nd in 35/58 and Hel Stokey Pokey Unattached 3rd in 36/20.
National Trust General Manager at Attingham Park, Mark Agnew, praised the record turnout of runners and the contribution over the last 11 years of the proceeds of the race to the Trust’s funds and thanked the National Trust, local running club volunteers and police cadets. Race organiser Kevin Francis praised the runners and the support of the race sponsors Rybrook BMW, Cotswold Outdoor and Up and Running.
Category Winners:
Men: Senior Men: Jack Agnew Mercia Fell Runners 28/48, Over 40: Phillip Jones Shropshire Shufflers 31/00, Over 45: Paul Jones Shrewsbury AC 29/05, Over 50: Kevin Francis Shrewsbury AC 31/22, Over 55: Mike Kirk Oswestry Olympians 31/54, Over 60: Tony Power Unattached 32/57, Over 65: Pete Savill Shrewsbury AC 37/27, Over 70: Iain Day Shropshire Shufflers 45/08, Under 17: James Thompson Unattached 33/29, Under 19: Oliver Greenhalgh Unattached 48/16, Under 23: Connor Middleton Shrewsbury AC 31/18.
Women: Senior Women: Sara Willhoit Shrewsbury AC 32/06 Over 40: Rachel Bateman Unattached 39/14, Over 45: Amanda Davies Cheadle RC 36/29, Over 50: Cathy Williamson Unattached 37/25, Over 55: Gill Evans Shrewsbury AC 40/47, Over 60: Gina Willis Unattached 41/46, Over 65: Sue Johnson Mercia Fell Runners 50/12, Over 75: Kathy Ling Wrekin Road Runners 1/47/03, Under 23: Georgina Morris Unattached 49/21.
Photo: Kevin Francis(528) race organiser and Mark Agnew(435) National Trust General Manager
In the gallery: Mad Jack's Race Start 2018, Mens' Race winner Jack Agnew(436) of Mercia Fell Runners in the pond, Womens' Race winner Sara Willhoit, Jack Agnew(436) and Paul Jones(567)
