Kim doubles up in Ellesmere 10k race

But that was just one several reasons to cheer after another successful instalment of the scenic but gruelling event, which attracted 650 participants.

Fawke, who represents Lawley Running Club, crossed the finish line in a winning time of 36 minutes and 21 seconds to make it back-to-back successes.

Her effort also won her the 40-45-year-old women's category.

She had triumphed for previous club Telford Athletics Club in last year's race and repeated the feat, finishing ahead of Bedford & County Athletics Club's Rachel Humphreys, who came second in 36.30.

Fawke scooped £100 for that effort, while Humphreys walked away with the £50 second prize and Rebecca Harrison, from Cheadle, £25 for third, having finished in a time of 37.41.

There was more local success in the men's category as Oswestry Olympians' Oliver Blake came through the tape in 34.20 to claim third place.

It was a proud moment for Olympians, who host the Ellesmere 10k, and organiser Paul Davies said: "He has come back from working in America six months ago.

"He has started triathlon training, which seems to have helped him. He finished seventh in the Liverpool Triathlon a couple of months ago.

"He went into the race in good form and he came third at the weekend in a brilliant time."

Daniel Cliffe, from Stockport and representing Liverpool Harriers, took first place in the men's race for the second straight year with a rapid time of 31.02, while Alex Hall of Vale Royal was second in 33.28.

Among the other local high-fliers were Jenny Davis of Oswestry Olympians, who won the 45-49 women's age group for her fine effort of 44.12.

Shropshire Shufflers' Gail Clayton who took the 55-59 first prize in 49.47 and Christine Henderson of Whitchurch Whippets.

She was 65-69-year-olds champion after crossing the line in a time of one hour and one minute.

James Egleston, of Telford Athletics Club, triumphed in the junior race, bursting through the finish line in 38.22 to extended the list of local winners on the day to five.

Davies was delighted to see such success, but he added that the best thing about the day was seeing so many local athletes simply getting involved.

He said: "We had 790 entries and 650 turned up, which was still a record field for the event.

"The quality and standard of runners is getting better year on year and it was great to see so many local people taking part.

"We had athletes from clubs all over Shropshire which was great to see."

He added that the town of Ellesmere had also done their bit to add to the occasion and atmosphere, as hundreds lined the route to cheer on participants.

Davies said: "A lot of people turned out to cheer them on which was great to see and we'd like to thank everyone for encouraging the runners and helping to make it another successful event."

The event also attracted runners from much further afield and there were several who made it onto the podium in the various age categories.

Gill Mead of City of Chester won the 50-54 women's race in 39.01 while Janet Green (unattached) was 60-64 champion in 53.39 and Anna Willis (unattached) won the girls's junior race in 54.45.

Jonathan Weavell of Staffordshire Triathlon came first in the men's 40-45 division in 34.50 while Gary Castrey (unattached) was 45-49 winner in 37.04.

Roger Farrington (unattached) was 50-54 champion in 38.58 and Colin Bishop of Helsby Running Club won the 55-59 division in 35.13.

Bob Freeman of West Cheshire Athletics Club won the 60-64 category in 40.56 while Colin Davies of Altrincham & District was the winner at 65-69 in 47.17.

David Bish of West Cheshire won the 70-74 age group in 55.26. Adult age group winners won bottles of wine, while juniors won chocolates.