Local teen first woman home in Shrewsbury Half Marathon - video and pictures
More than 1,500 runners took to the the streets of Shrewsbury and the nearby countryside for the annual half marathon today.
From the elite to those just aiming to complete the course and the hundreds raising money for charity, the runners completed the 13.1 miles cheered on by spectators, family and friends.
This year the weather was kind - not the searing heat of 2017 - and it meant 1,540 were able to finish the course.
WATCH highlights from this year's race:
Those who finished became the first in the country to be given 'One Less Bottle' cartons of water at the finishing line instead of plastic bottles.
Joe Williams, from organisers UKRunChat, said it had been great to see the local community out on the course cheering on the competitors.
"Shrewsbury town centre was packed with spectators and even outside the town local people turned out to cheer on the runners.
"There were even areas, such as on Ellesmere Road, where people had set up their own drinks stations," he said.
Winners
The first three home in the men's race were Paul Jones of Shrewsbury AC, Barry Reynolds of Hereford and Thomas Vaughan of Shrewsbury, while the first three women were 18-year-old Sophie Birtles, from Bayston Hill, Sarah Wilholt and Belle Ward - the 2017 women's race winner.
Joe said it was wonderful to see men and women of all ages and abilities taking part.
"Races are not longer purely for club runners and the elite. Running has become a social past time, a way to keep fit and have fun," he said.
"We want to promote healthy habits and that is why we have our children's half marathon."
Primary Schools' Challenge
This year 900 children from schools across the area completed a mile a week in school to get to 12 miles then on Saturday ran the last 1.1 miles at the showground to complete the Shropshire Primary Schools' Challengeand receive the same medal as the adult runners.
They included Evelyn, 10, and seven-year-old Lilith Burgoyne from Ruyton-XI-Towns, who were back at the showground on Sunday to cheer dad, Adam, around the finish of his 13.1 miles.
"The girls did their 12 miles at St Andrew's School in Nesscliffe, it is such a good idea," he said.
Brothers Matt and Isaac Walley were among the hundreds of local runners, taking part with friend Matthew Jones, also from Shrewsbury, who was raising money for the Food Bank Plus charity.
"We did the recent Attingham Park event at a relay," Matt said.
Engaged couple, Nicola Ijewsky, 24, and Joel Bishton, 30, both completed the half marathon having started running two and a half years ago.
"We are getting married in September and two weeks before are running the Great North Run, dressed as a bridge and groom," Nicola said.
A resuscitation nurse, Nicola hopes to use the Newcastle event to help train as many children in CPR techniques as she can.
Local running clubs
Clubs with runners included Shropshire Shufflers, Lawley Running Club, Wrekin Road Runners, Telford Harriers, Oswestry Olympians, Shrewsbury AC, Whitchurch Whippets, Bridgnorth Running Club, Telford AC, Trismart, Ellesmere Runners, Mere Runners and UKRunChat, plus 52 runners from Shrewsbury School.
A big contingent travelled to Shrewsbury from Oswestry including Olympians Simon Barkley, Richard Davies, Andrew and Claire Birch and Paul Evans.
Oswestry's Julian Morgan-Ayres, completed the event in 1 hour 20, sandwiching the run in-between the Stafford Half Iron man event last weekend and another next weekend.
He along with Craig Case, Paula Reynolds, Mike Dovaston and Melvyn Austin are members of the Ellesmere Friday night running group.
Craig said he was pleased with his 1.41 finishing time.
"I am really pleased. It was a tough course, lots of hills. Wyle Cop was particularly tough. There was lots of support in the town and in the villages," he said.
Shawbury Joggers Sam Giles, Keith Price and Alex Salmon praised Gary and Louise Simpson, who help run the club, for encouraging so many people in the village up and running.
Sam said: "Louise has just had an MBE for her community work and Gary helps coach the GB team.
Running for charity
For friends, Wynnie Reed, 23 and Charlotte Beckett, 23 it was a return to the half marathon after their first event as teenagers five years ago.
"We did the first Shrewsbury Half Marathon, which started and finished in the Quarry, together, have been away to different universities where we have continued running and now we are back in Shrewsbury," Charlotte said.
Among the many people running for charities was Chris Storey, from Northamptonshire, who has aspergers.
He completed the course dressed as a Roman soldier.
"I am raising money for a new group for people with mental and physical disabilities called Pass the Torch," Christopher said.
"This is my 90th half marathon and the first time I have been to Shrewsbury."
Joe Williams said helping charities raise much needed money was an important part of the event.
"We have partnered with several charities including Hope House, Severn Hospice, Derwen College, Royal British Legion, Shrewsbury Town in the Community, Lingen Davies, the Harry Johnson Trust and others."
Road closures let to some complaints from motorists.
Joe said: "It is one day of the week and we publicise the closures a long time in advance."
