Shropshire runners and riders beat the heat in marathon efforts
[gallery] Hundreds of athletes and sports enthusiasts took part in endurance runs and cycle challenges – on the hottest weekend of the year.
Runners completed the the 10th Shifnal Half Marathon, while the 127th Wenlock Olympic Games were launched with a marathon and half marathon.
More than 450 cyclists also took part in the Mamil Cycling Summer Sportive, which saw streets in Bridgnorth town centre closed to allow riders to make their way through the streets on routes ranging from 50 to 100 miles.
Organisers of Shifnal Half Marathon, which was previously known as Shifnal Steeplechase Half Marathon, believe they are on course to raise more than £1,000 for Hope House Children's Hospice and Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
David Smith, who has marshalled at the event since its inception, said: "It was a great day and a lot of people get involved with it now."
The first runner back was Chris Davies, from Telford Athletic Club, who completed the course in one hour 23 minutes.
The event was particularly poignant for 25-year-old Heather Lomax, from Sheriffhales, who completed the half marathon in memory of her brother William who was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma in 2009 and died on September 3 last year, aged 22. The marathon and half marathon in Much Wenlock marked the start of two weeks of events which will form the Wenlock Games. The Wenlock run was started by Olympic silver medallist John Disley CBE, who is also president and joint founder of the London Marathon.
