Market Drayton 10k success
Whether it was running to win, for fun or fitness or to raise money in memory of a loved one, 2,500 people lined up for the annual Market Drayton 10k.
The event has grown from just 125 elite runners in 2004 to become what race director Tim Bennett called a "mini London Marathon" complete with runners in fancy dress, wheelchair competitors, music and an event village in the ground of the Grove School. There was also a childrens' run.
Sunday's event filled up in less than 24 hours and runners said it was worth its title as the top 10k event in Britain for the fifth year in a row.
Among those taking part was Jane Sutton, mother of Stephen Sutton, the 19-year old who raised £3.2 million before dying from terminal cancer three years ago.
She joined forces with the Cool Runnings team from Wolverhampton carrying a bobsleigh through the streets of Market Drayton, raising funds for Stephen's Story and Teenage Cancer Trust.
"I have met so many wonderful people taking part in fundraising events since Stephen died. We want to keep Stephen's legacy alive," she said.
Two special aunties were being remembered by the Taylor family running for Cancer Research.
Maureen Bolton from Baldwins Gate died eight weeks ago from the disease prompting her nephews and nieces and their other halves, who had all entered the race, to use it to fundraise for research.
Louise Taylor, whose husband was Maureen's nephew, then lost her own auntie, Brenda Seed, on Friday, also from cancer.
Workmates from Muller in Market Drayton lined up to remember their colleague, Charlotte Foster, who died from a blood clot caused by taking the contraceptive pill last year.
They donned pink t-shirts with Charlotte's photo on the back and her favourite saying, have courage and be kind, on the front.
Bill Mathieson, sales director at Muller, said the entire sales team had been involved in fundraising for Charlotte's favourite charity, Crohn's and Colitis UK.
The 10k event attracted members of formal and informal running clubs.
A group of mothers from Church Stretton who met through their children and started running together were taking part while there were about 90 members of the Shropshire Shufflers on the start line, dozens from the Wrekin Runners and about 30 from the home club, Market Drayton, which also provided marshalls. They included John Darby running in the animal costume he ran the London Marathon in.
Young competitor, Jake Domadalski, was pushed around in his wheelchair by runner Matt Eardley.
