Runner Andy closes in on record
Mid Wales runner Andy Davies stormed to an impressive victory in this year's Cardington Cracker nine-mile Hill Race.
Mid Wales runner Andy Davies stormed to an impressive victory in this year's Cardington Cracker nine-mile Hill Race.
The man from Forden, near Welshpool, retained the title he won last year and is now on track to challenge his brother Tim's record of winning four Cardington races in south Shropshire.
As well as being a Welsh International Fell Runner, Davies is also a regular first team footballer for Caersws in the Welsh league having played the previous day when they lost 3-1 at home to Bangor City.
The Mercia Fell Runner, took charge early into the race and had a clear lead by the summit of Caer Caradoc.
He had extended that lead to almost two minutes by the time he reached the finish, in Cardington village in 1.1.29, just 15 seconds slower than when he won last year.
Davies, who has now been in a top three place five times since 1999, having also finished third in 1999, 2001 and 2007.
Steven Cale of Shrewsbury AC, winner of the recent Wrekin Wrecker race and who is currently leading the Shropshire Winter Fell Running Series, was second in 1.14.20.
The Wrekin College teacher, who spent some of his summer holiday doing voluntary work in Malawi on a college project, has made remarkable progress in the last twelve months after finishing 23rd and 11 minutes slower in this race last year.
Former Bridgnorth runner Pete Vale, was third in 1.16.32, maintaining his consistent record in this race having been third last year and in 2003, fifth in 2007 and second in 2004.
Matt Clewes from Newport, a Mercia runner, was the first over 50 veteran in 1.24.47 and will remain third in the Shropshire series.
In the field of 235 finishers, the sixth highest in the 22-year history of the race, there were runners from all areas of the country.
Leading local finishers were: 10th Simon White, Mercia, 1.24.00; 16th Ed Davies, Mercia, second over-50 1.26.56; 24th Colin Lancaster, Telford AC, fourth over-45 1.28.27; 25th Simon Daws, Telford AC, first over-55 1.28.35; 39th Henry Thomas, Telford AC, 1.31.38; 42nd Nick Eyke, Oswestry third over-50 1.32.25; 43rd Mark Agnew, Mercia 1.32.27.
By PAUL SANDERSON
