Bridgnorth Walk attracts marathon runners
An annual walk that has launched its own marathon is set to hit target numbers in its inaugural year.
Hundreds of people take part in the Bridgnorth Walk every year.
Organised by the Bridgnorth Lions in order to raise funds, the group will this year see the Bridgnorth Marathon take place – a gruelling 26 mile run around Bridgnorth and the surrounding countryside.
So far, 16 people have signed up for the marathon, with 86 people set to take on the walk.
Richard Stilwell, Bridgnorth Lions President, said they were delighted with the response to the event.
He said: “We thought if we were to hit around 20 entries that would be really good going as the marathon is in its first year, and we think we’ll meet that target.
“It’s great the event is starting to attract the attention of the athletic community as of course this is going to be a good, athletic event.
“It really is going to be a challenge for competitors who will have to climb up Clee Hill and down the other side.
“You have serious walkers who do the Bridgnorth Walk, but also a lot of social walkers, whereas we wanted to start the marathon to attract those serious competitors that look for a real challenge.”
Among the runners is the World Marathon Challenge winner Susannah Gill. The 34-year-old recently set a world record for running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, with an average time of three hours and 28 minutes per marathon.
She competed alongside 39 other runners completing races in Antarctica, Cape Town, Dubai, Madrid, Santiago and Miami.
Speaking about the Bridgnorth Marathon, she said: “This sounds like a fantastic event.
“I am really looking forward to running on a wonderful route through an area which I know and love.
“It’s the perfect way to spend a Bank Holiday Monday and I hope lots of people will turn out and enjoy Shropshire’s beautiful countryside.”
