See Full Results on TAC Web Site

See all the photos on Brian Smiths Flickr Web Site

The highest quality race for twenty years in Shropshire saw 17 runners break 31 minutes in this years Telford 10k Road Race on Sunday organised by Telford AC. With over 600 entries and a record number of 474 finishers, cold but still conditions greeted runners who had travelled to the race from all corners of the British Isles. UK Snooker Champion, Rocket Ronnie O Sullivan, himself a very capable runner was there to lend his support. A new wider start designed by race director Dave Mansbridge gave the large field the ideal chance to get a fast start. Top quality distance runners had entered after a publicity campaign on Facebook by some leading athletes to get a good field assembled on this fast flat course ideal for personal best times.

Dave Webb from Leeds City AC, but based in Birmingham and fiancee of Telford AC's Sian Davies from Eaton Constantine was an impressive winner. Webb was second last year to Tipton's Phil Nicholls, but went one better this year taking the title in 29.32. Webb a GB INternational who was in the same GB team as Chris Davies in last months Eikeden Road Relay Champs in Japan, is currently 4th ranked in the country over 10k on the road. His Leeds City team mate Alan Buckley, who ran for GB in last years World Cross Country Champs in Kenya, was second in 29.50 with Lee Merrien from Guernsey, a former 1500m runner who has been under 8 minutes for 3k, was 3rd also under 30 minutes in 29.56. The depth of the field was amazing as 17 got under 31 minutes whereas in last years race which attracted a slightly smaller field saw just 3 run faster than 31 minutes. Another indication of the quality of the race is that 12 of the top 76 times on this years national 10k rankings on the Power of 10 website were achieved at this years Telford 10k.

Telford AC's Claire Martin, who previously won the race in 2004, was a clear winner of the womens race with a new personal best of 34.06, shattering her previous best by 32 seconds which puts her 27th in this years 10k rankings. Her time just 22 seconds outside the course record is the second fastest ever time on this course. Kim Fawke last years winner, amazingly ran exactly the same time as last year 35.00, which considering she had been feeling unwell all week was a good time. She just got second place on the line as she was given the same time as 3rd placed Jenny Clague from Liverpool, winner of this years Lake Vrynwy Half Marathon. Another indication of the quality in this years race was that 35.00 minutes last year put Kim 26th in the race overall, this year the same time put her 54th.

Dan Soltys from Telford AC was the first Shropshire finisher in 22nd in a new personal best of 32.12. Chris Bagshaw, Telford AC, winner of the recent North Wales Cross Country League was the next local man in 26th, in a new personal best by a minute of 32.22. Wayne Dashper and Will Joyce were the next two home in 30th and 31st in 32.41 and 32.42. Robin Sedman-Smith, Telford AC, a languages teacher at Adams Newport was the next local home in 37th, 33.22. Telfords former British Veterans Champion, Greg Wilson an over 50, was amazingly the first veteran to finish of any age in 40th,33.47.

Telford AC's Cheralyn Evans, the reigning British Masters 10k champion was the next local finisher in the womens race finishing 9th in 36.47 a new personal best and a stunning 4 minutes quicker than the time she ran in this race last year.Amanda Dalkins from Birchfield who will be soon moving to live in Telford was 10th in 37.00 with Sian Davies 11th in 37.40 with Telford AC's Sarah Mackness breaking 40 minutes for the first time finishing 15th in 39.25.

Other leading local finishers in the first 100.

50th Edward Jopling Newport 34.39
66th Richard Jones Telford AC 35.26
67th Kevin Francis Shrewsbury AC 35.34
77th Paul Williams Telford AC 36.08
80th Richard Lucock Telford AC 36.24
83rd Robert Hall Shrewsbury AC 36.29
91st Nicholas Pollock Shropshire Shufflers 37.26
94th Paul Parkinson Newport 37.43
96th Richard Hunter Shropshire Shufflers 37.54

Other leading locals in the womens race.
16th Lucy Dalton - Telford Harriers 40.42
26th Hazel Banfield - Shropshire Shufflers 44.15
27th Juliet Hood - Newport 44.38
28th Lisa Yeomans - Telford Harriers 44.47
30th Aimee Jackson - Telford Harriers 45.10
31st Pauline Newton - Newport 45.46
33rd Sarah Mawhinney - Mid Shrop Wheelers 45.57
34th Judi Clayton - Newport 46.07
35th Libby Collinson - Shropshire Shufflers 46.28
40th Abi Gregory - Telford AC 47.48
41st Mary Eardley - Shropshire Shufflers 47.53
42nd Sarah Brand - Telford AC 48.24
46th Kim Denning - Wrekin RR 49.46
49th Jo Coombes - Newport 50.43
50th Elizabeth Wynn - Wrekin RR 50.45.

Paul Sanderson