Barrelling up The Wrekin

It is Shropshire's annual test of strength and endurance - to carry a barrel to the top of the Wrekin in the quickest time.

And yesterday 17 teams rose to the challenge of the Wrekin Barrel race.

The event, in aid of charity, was organised by Wellington H2A (Heritage and Arts Alive).

Organisers today said eight people carried a full 56kg/123lb barrel on their own, six teams of four men also carried a full barrel and three fun teams in fancy dress carried an empty barrel.

Six competitors came all the way from Hinkley, Leicestershire, and one team of four from Wolverhampton.

The winners of the Classic Challenge were Coops Harriers in a time of 22 minutes 56 seconds, only just a minute outside the record of 21.40 set by Cock Hotel Hobsons Harriers in 2008. For their efforts they won £100 which they donated to Hope House of which the event is in aid of.

Tom Portman, alias The Wrekin Giant, romped to victory in a record time of 30 minutes 38 seconds, beating the previous record seven minutes 46 seconds.

The previous record holder and twice champion, Gareth Evans, alias The Punisher', beat his own record with time of 32 minutes 47 seconds but this was not enough to achieve him the hat -trick.

The winners of the fancy dress were team 118 118, who are all members of Wrekin Road runners.

The prize ceremony took place at the Cock Hotel and was officiated by Stephen Betts, the Wellington Ale Taster. Organisers thanked everyone involved.

By Lisa Rowley