Second time lucky for village race
It was second time lucky for a 10km race in a Shropshire village this weekend as the race went off in glorious sunshine.
The Lilleshall Monumental 10km and fun run was originally due to take place on March 24 but had to be called off at the 11th hour after unseasonal snow fell on the county.
But it went off without a hitch yesterday as members of the community took part and helped marshal the course.
Race organiser Helen Holdroyd said: "We had 460 racers which we are absolutely delighted with, from old to young, male and female.
"It is really nice for the village to put on this fantastic event and we have had a lot of people from the community coming out to help with the food and to help marshal the course."
The fun run was helping raise money for local boy Ben Rowlings fulfil his dream of competing at the Swiss championships later this year in a top-of-the-range wheelchair.
Philip Hill, who also helped organise the race, said: "Ben is a really nice lad and the money raised from the fun run will go to him so he can compete in Switzerland.
Hill
"If he does well there he will be able to compete at the World Championships, then if he does well there, he could be going to the Olympics in Rio.
"He's competing in Stoke Mandeville today so it's a shame he can't be here."
The race was won by Robin Sedman-Smith, a teacher from Adams Grammar School who runs for Newport and District Running Club, in a time of 34 minutes 35 seconds.
He said: "This is the third time I've run this and it's great for me as I live just down the road.
"It is a really nice friendly event."
Emma Gould, 22, from Sutton Coldfield, runs for West Bromwich Harriers and she was the first woman across the line.
She said: "I'm normally a fell runner but this is a really nice course, and it's fun to do."
Ryan Heath, 19, a lifeguard at Oakengates Leisure Centre in Telford, came second.
He said: "It's the second time I've done it and it's a good course, the big hill at the end is an absolute killer."
