Tim Davies blazes a trail at Eastridge

The event again attracted a mixture of some of the county's top fell runners, club runners from in and outside Shropshire, and a high proportion of unattached runners.

Starting from the historic mining village of Snailbeach, the route covered predominantly Forestry Commission land, comprising forest paths and tracks.

It took in the Eastridge Woods and Stiperstones areas of the county, with the challenging but popular route covering 13.1 miles and 2,324 feet of ascent.

New this year was a relay option, with teams of three using the same route as the Trail Half, the leg lengths being approximately 5.3, 4.7 and three miles.

The men's race was initially a close contest between Davies and the unattached Chris Phillips.

Davies then broke away to establish a comfortable lead, winning in 1:23:09, with Phillips second in 1:26:17 and Andrew Salt (Ludlow Runners) third in 1:28:30.

The first woman home was Anna Bartlett (Welsh Anglo Athletes) in 1:42:09, with Sarah Armstrong (Amazing Feet RC) second in 1:52:18 and Deborah Millington (Wrekin Road Runners) third in 1:53:03.

The Mercia club also won the team prize, a barrel of beer donated by the Three Tuns Brewery, with Shrewsbury AC second and Shropshire Shufflers third.

The relay race was won by Rybrook BMW (1:42:55), with Turner's Trailblazers (1:52:04) second and Peaky's Pacemakers (1:55:23) third.

There was double success for husband and wife duo Alan and Jo Dean (Shrewsbury AC), with Alan finishing first veteran-over 40 and Jo as first lady over-35.

Race organiser Graham Parton thanked the sponsors Rybrook BMW, who donated a spot prize of a BMW for the weekend. It was won by Becky Price (Dolly Mixtures).

Cotswold Outdoor Shrewsbury, Montgomeryshire Natural Spring Water, Muller Limited, The Three Tuns Brewery, Tesco and Sainsbury's, who all donated prizes.

David Davies and Co Minsterley covered the cost of the medical support team. He also thanked the people of Snailbeach for letting the event take place in the village.

There was also appreciation for the landowners, without whose support and consent, the race could not have taken place.The prizes were presented by Peter Moss OBE of Cotswold Outdoor.

Men, Senior: Chris Phillips, unattached, 1:26:17; Over-35: Tim Davies, Mercia Fell Runners, 1:23:09; Over-40: Alan Dean, Shrewsbury AC, 1:36:12;.

Over-45: Dave Tozer, Bayston Hill Salad Dodgers, 1:59:00.

Over-50: Roger Farrington, Maldwyn Harriers, 1:29:39.

Over-55: Heith Harrison, Sneyd Striders, 1:44:11.

Over-60: Paul Gresty, Shropshire Shufflers, 1:51:07.

Over-70: Iain Day, unattached, 2:13:34.

Junior male: Steven Hanly, unattached, 1:32:59.

Women - Senior: Charlotte Hayward-Prince, unattached, 1:55:51.

Over-35: Jo Dean, Shrewsbury AC, 1:58:38.

Over-40: Helen Smith, Amazing Feet RC, 2:08:50.

Over-45: Anna Bartlett, Welsh Anglo Athletes, 1:42:09.

Over-50: Sarah Armstrong, Amazing Feet RC, 1:52:18.