Ross Campbell hits the heights on his debut
Ross Campbell was flying high after a stunning fell racing debut.
Campbell, a trainee from RAF Cosford, claimed the spoils in the 33rd Stretton Skyline Fell Race, organised by Telford Athletic Club.
A tough 19-mile race around the Church Stretton Hills beckoned for 21-year-old Campbell, from Highland Hill Runners in Inverness.
He was among the leaders all the way as he broke away with last year's winner, Hugh Aggleton from Mynyddwyr De Cymru, a Welsh fell running club.
After the start in Cardingmill Valley, they were together at the top of Pole Bank, Ragleth and Caer Caradoc before Campbell took charge to gain a 90-second advantage at the top of the Lawley.
Aggleton pulled back that lead and got to the final check-point at Motts Road on the Long Mynd, but Campbell got away on the long descent back to Church Stretton.
He won out in two hours 34 minutes and six seconds in one of the closest finishes for many years. Shrewsbury AC runner Chris Phillips, from Market Drayton, was third in 2.42.45.
The Long Mynd Hike record holder Andy Davies, from Church Stretton, was fourth in 2.43.47 and the first over-45 to finish.
Simon Adney (Mercia Fell Runners) came home fifth in 2.52.42 while another Church Stretton resident, Richard Bacon, running for Torq, was sixth and first over-40 in 2.56.24.
Charlotte Hayward Prince also from Church Stretton, who runs for the Bayston Hill Salad Dodgers team, was delighted to win the women's race for the first time after finishing fifth last year.
She completed the course in 3.33.27, over a minute quicker than her time last year.
Sue Howarth (Mercia Fell Runners) crossed the line in second place in 3.43.08 while Biddy Cole, from Wellington, came third in 4.11.16.
