Martin plans her way to a Series success

The Telford Athletic Club star not only helped to organise the popular event,which started from the Shropshire Golf Club in Muxton – she also won it.

Martin, a 10-time Sexarathon champion, produced another masterly display to take the honours as she crossed the line in 22 minutes 56 seconds – two seconds faster than when she won last year.

The Shropshire is the third of six races in this year's Sexarathon Series, organised by Telford Athletic Club and sponsored by Wood's the Cleaners, and boasted a total of 286 finishers – 21 more than the same race last year.

Michelle Clarke, also from host club Telford AC, followed Martin home in second place in 24.28, with Shrewsbury AC's Sara Wilhoit third (25.00).

The top 10 in the ladies' race was completed by Lynne Hill (Tipton), who finished fourth in 25.31.

She was followed by Amelia Reynolds (Telford AC, 6.07), Rachel Coupe (Telford AC, 26.43), Amy Wakeley (Telford AC, 26.57), Jacqueline Macey (Shrewsbury AC, 27.38), Abi Gregory (Telford AC, 28.55) and Emily Beebee (Telford AC, 29.39).

Paul Ward completed a one-two for Telford AC in the men's race. He returned to winning ways in 20.54 after finishing second at Lilleshall and third at Phoenix.

The victory also fired Ward back to the top of the Sexarathon standings.

His nearest rival, Stuart Hawkes from Tipton, repeated his second place from last year as he came home 18 seconds behind Ward.

Wolverhampton and Bilston's Richard Carpenter took third in 21.36, just ahead of a fast-improving Christian Evans (Telford AC) who finished fourth in 21.43.

Evans, who finished 17th in the opening race of the series and sixth in the second, ran 54 seconds quicker than he did last year.

Newport's Robin Sedman Smith, the 2006 Sexarathon champion, was fifth in 21.56, with Matt Costello (Telford AC) claiming sixth place in 22.02 – his highest placing of the series so far.

Another Telford AC athlete, Jamie Davies, crossed the line next in 22.07. Newport's Joe Phillips (22.10), Shrewsbury AC's Adam Roberts (22.11) and Wolverhampton's Ryan Heath (22.12) completed the top 10.

Ward is now top of the standings on 897 points with Stuart Hawkes just one behind in second.

Wolverhampton's Richard Carpenter lies third with 889 points ahead of Robin Sedman Smith and Christain Evan.

The next race in the Series is the Ironbridge 4 mile on Wednesday, July 6, starting at 7.30pm from the car park by the Ironbridge.

Registration on the night only at race headquarters, the Tontine Hotel.