Gruelling competition proves a hit at Wrekin
More than a dozen competitors have tackled a gruelling new endurance event at Wrekin College in Telford.
Gym Mostyn athletics and fitness club hosted a Row-a-Run which challenged competitors to tackle a 3,000 metre row followed by a 3,000m cross country run.
Club boss Jim Mostyn said: "We get a lot of runners coming to train on the rowing machines and we thought 'we could make a competition out of this.'
"As far as I know it is the first event of its kind in the country. It is a bit like triathlon and it is quite tough, but it went down very well and we will definitely do it again."
A total of 18 competitors aged between 15 and 60 channelled their energies into a demanding 30-minute event.
South African tri-athlete Jason Benniman won the men's open title with a winning time of 21 minutes and 51 seconds.
Telford Harriers' athlete and Gym Mostyn member Dean Blythe came second while fellow Gym Mostyn user Marc Christian was third.
The women's race was won by Telford Harriers' Nicola Atkins in a time of 29 minutes and four seconds with promising young athlete Harriet Blythe second to cross the line.
She won the Under-18 gold medal while her mother, Lorraine, was the women's silver medal winner with Shelley Haynes taking the bronze.
The event featured competitors from Telford Harriers, Gym Mostyn, Lawley Running Club, Telford AC and Wrekin Road Runners.
