The last day of March saw the first of this year’s races hosted by Newport & District Running Club, the 10th running of the Lilleshall Monumental 10k. This always-popular race was a sell-out once again, despite extra places being released, confirming its popularity with runners, and 276 people took to the start line.
The route, mostly cross-country, but with some road sections thrown in, started and finished at Lilleshall school, on the sports field, and wound its way through the village and the surrounding countryside, with the main feature of the route occurring at the 8k point, where Lilleshall Hill itself was climbed by the runners, who passed the Monument on the summit, before descending back down into the village towards the finish. The weather was mostly kind too, apart from a bit of a breeze, helping set the scene for another great race.
Newport & District Running Club had a strong field of 30 runners out in force for their first home race of the season, all taking advantage of fantastic local support along the route, with the marshals and other volunteers mostly made up of club members. The first Newport runner back to the sports field at Lilleshall school was Joe Phillips, taking 3rd place overall, in a very rapid time of 36 minutes, 48 seconds, just over 1 minute behind overall winner Christopher Ashford (of Birmingham Running, Athletics & Triathlon club). Will Dolding wasn’t too far behind Joe, finishing as second NDRC runner, and 7th overall, in 39:15. Robin Guy took the third NDRC spot, and also broke the 40 minute mark, finishing in 11th place in 39:46.
Martin Langley was next for Newport, 26th in 43:12, and Sophie Laverie was the first lady to cross the line for Newport, taking 3rd female place in the race and 45th place overall in a time of 45:43. Newport runners were coming thick and fast at this point; Neil Fairbrother was next, 55th in 46:53, and he was not too far ahead of Nick Watts (59th) and Phil Cross (60th), who crossed the line together, both in a time of 47:14. Phil Dolding (67th, 48:14) and Amanda Purves (78th, 48:54) both came in shortly afterwards, easily ahead of the 50 minute barrier.
Just sneaking into the top 100 were Ian Kevan (98th) and Paul Hughes (99th), another pair of Novaportans who finished together, both in a time of 50:10. Simon Yap was just behind them, finishing 104th in a time of 50:34, and he was closely followed by Amanda Sharp (112th, 51:22). Tom and Emily Pope were next for Newport, crossing the line in 51:40 to take 115th and 116th places respectively. A number of other Newport runners also beat the 55-minute mark: Dale Owen (128th, 52:24), Stephen Mansbridge (133rd, 52:45), Colin Mahy (138th, 53:53), Phil Link (139th, 54:00), Annabel Montgomery (143rd, 54:15 - a new PB) and Kevin Phelps (149th, 54:48).
Other Newport & District Running Club finishers were: Karen Sherriff (153rd, 55:12), Bernie Holbrook (165th, 56:48), Helen Edwards (175th, 58:13), Ralph Humphries (176th, 58:12), Steve Cannon (218th, 1:04:14), Anne Strowger (226th, 1:04:56), Diane Hampton (238th, 1:07:15), Rose-Marie Shoulder (259th, 1:14:58).
N&DRC’s next organised race will be the Newport & District 10k, which starts at 11am at Longford Hall, on Sunday June 23rd. For more information go to www.newportrunningclub.org.uk, enter online at www.runbritain.com, or email newportdrc@gmail.com
