Chasing llamas: 2018 Bridgnorth Walk winner starts his training
As fundraisers are prepping their costumes and organisers are marking the route, last year's Bridgnorth Walk winner is chasing llamas as part of his training routine.
Andy Simmons took home his third first place finish in 2018's event, and says he's already started his training in preparation for this year's walk on May 27.
This year will see the 27-year-old gardener, from Bridgnorth, complete the event for the ninth time.
"I like to keep reasonably fit throughout the year," he said. But towards the end of March I'll start training specifically for the walk.
"I've got a route I like to do which takes me down the bypass, around the town and then back home.
"I work on a country estate as a gardener which keeps me reasonably fit doing all the jobs around there.
"The estate has a number of llamas and one thing I actually do is chase them around the gardens – they like having a run around with me."
The former Bridgnorth Endowed student managed to trump his Bridgnorth rival of the same name, 16-time winner Andrew Rawling, to take home his first win in 2016.
"I know Andrew a bit and often bump into him around the town," he added.
"I'm used to coming second until one year I beat him. I don't think he's competed since otherwise I maybe wouldn't have so many wins but I always expect him to be back so we'll have to see this year.
"I always wanted to finish first which is what spurred me on to keep entering.
"Last year myself and a team of about 12 people raised £1,600 for Cancer Research UK, and this year we're hoping to hit the £2,000 mark which would be great.
"It's a very prestigious event that's been going for a long time, it's always really well supported so I'm looking forward to hopefully getting another top place finish this year."
This year will see the Bridgnorth Walk hold its inaugural marathon, a gruelling run around Bridgnorth and the surrounding countryside.
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.
To sign up to the event, or for more information visit bridgnorthwalk.org
