Results page

Claire Martin raced to success in the final race of this years Up and Running Sexarathon Race Series, the 5 kilometre Madeley Matchmaker multi terrain race. This confirmed, the Aqueduct based international as the overall winner for an historic sixth time in the Series' 25th year. Five previous women have won the Series twice, but no one more than that, putting Martin's feat into some perspective. The Series first started in 1983, becoming one of the longest running series in the country, with Claire recording her first success in 1994, again in 1995, then in 2000, 2004 and 2006. Previous double series winner,in 2001 and 2002, Denise Sanders from Shifnal, made it a one two for Telford AC as she took the overall runners up award, rather than the award for winning her veteran age group.Telford Harriers athlete Lucy Dalton was third overall.

The mens Series was amazingly close as the leaders goinmg into the final race Chris Bagshaw and Paul Ward, went head to head in the Madeley race. Chris Bagshaw came home first with Ward just behind. Despite Bagshaw from Telford AC having also won the Shropshire race he was only the 4th and 5th Series finisher in the first two races of the Series. The title by just 3 points went to Paul ward , the Wrekin Road Runner, who was second in the Series twice, third 3 times and fourth once. This gave Paul Ward, now living in Shrewsbury his third Sexarathon title having previously won the Series in 2003 and 2005. A new name in the Series this year was Telford AC's Jonathan Hockey who did remarkably well to take 4th overall, just behind his team mate Nick Andrews. Telford Harriers Jamie Anderson was 5th whilst Newport's Robin Guy was 6th.

This is the 25th anniversary of the Series and has been billed throughout the six race series as the Silver Sexarathon. The final race at Madeley saw Newport's Steve Fowles take part in his 99th Sexarathon race having missed only 3 races in the last 17 years, quite a record.

With Paul Ward taking the overall award, Shrewsbury Ac's Kevin Francis won the over 40 age category with Telford AC's Paul Williams second and Newport's Noel Hogan third. Telford AC's Steve Jones won every race in the over 45 category and was a convincing overall winner with Telford Harrier's Andy Dippie second and his team mate Stepehn Bajic third. Lawrie Jones representing the Fell Runners Association won the over 50's with Newport's Steve Fowles second and Telford AC's Dave Hopkins third. Wrekin Road Runners Paul Williams won the over 55 overall category with John Strange from Telford Harriers second and Newport's Kevin Bright third. Dudley Kingswinford's Brian Russell won the over 60's having won 5 out of the 6 races with Bornville's Barrie Roberts second and Telford AC's Alan Hodgkiss third. Pete Sutcliffe from, Adamston was the Telford AC winner of the over 65 age group with Lindsay Pulley from Kidderminster second and Shrewsbury AC's Brian Williams third. Mick Ward from Oswestry won the over 70's with Ludlow's Tony Hewson second whilst Wrekin Road Runners Ivor Denning won the over 75's.

The Madeley Matchmaker saw Chris Bagshaw and Claire Martin win the men and womens races in 15.49 and 17.14 respectively. Claire, who finished 6th, was using the race as part of her preparation for her half marathon debut in the Lake Vrynwy Race. Paul ward, eventual overall series champion was second and first iover 40, just 3 seconds adrift with Nick Andrews, from Stirchley taking 3rd in 16.22 and his Telford Ac team mate Jonathan Hockey 4th in 16.58. Little Wenlock's Rick Hailey was 5th and 1st over 50 in 17.02, whilst Shrewsbury's Peter Ball was 7th in 17.27. John Sanders was 2nd over 40 and 8th overall in 17.20, just 13 seconds ahead of Paul Williams whilst Newport's Edward Jopling was 10th in 17.39.

Kim Fawke made a welcome return to racing in Shropshire after a long injury that has kept her out since the end of the cross country season. After winning the Tenbury 10k and the Wolverhampton Half she finished second in 17.42, with her Telford AC team mate Cheralyn Evans 3rd and ist over 45 in 18.41. Shrewsbury's Anna Bartlett, winner of the the Shropshire Summer Fell Running Series was 4th in 19.34, just ahead of Denise Sanders 5th and 1st over 40 in 19.41. Lucy Dalton from Telford Harriers was 6th in 20.39 with Gill Pugh 7th,20.49. wrekin Road Runners Sadie David was 8th in 20.56 whilst Birchfield's Val Carter was 9th 21.24 and Nicole Hilliker completed the top 10 in 21.28.

Sally Potts from RAF Cosford won the over 35 womens overall series title with Telford AC's LIsa Blagden second and Lisa watkins from Telford Harriers was third. Gill Pugh from Telford AC won the over 40 age group with Birchfield's Val Carter second and Telford Harriers Jane Staite third. Catherine Berry from Wrekin Road Runners won the over 45's with Wendy Scott second and Ceri Christie of Newport third. Wrekin Road Runners Kim Denning won the over 50 age group with Oswestry Olympian Barbara Ward second and Pat Adams third. Cynthia Lewis from Telford Harriers won the over 55 section with Annie Strowger from Newport in second and Ann Shaw from Telford Harriers third. Wrekin Road Runners Kathy Ling won the over 60's age group award.

Paul Sanderson