Reports by Tim Jones and Guy Whitmarsh
Tim:
4 Crofties headed north to run The Stiperstone Fell Race last night (Wednesday 10th July) over a 6.6km course with 390 metres of ascent.
It was the first time that I had raced over this new course and it certainly proved both challenging and highly satisfying. It started with a very long steady climb out from Snailbeach to the far end of the course at Shepherds Rock before before turning back north covering a mix of blazing descents, fast traverses, short sharp climbs and deep boggy holes to bring us back to Snailbeach.
63rd Tony Howsam 0:43:31
67th Tim Jones 0:44:05
80th Guy Whitmarsh 0:50:18
82nd Gary Gunner 0:50:31
Guy:
With two more races to go in the Shropshire Summer Fell Series, a few of us assembled at Snailbeach to tackle the Stiperstones race. Saffi ran in the Under 12 Junior Girls Race, finishing 1st, but having to sprint to the line to keep the second place runner behind her. I believe she has already secured her 1st place in the series.
The Seniors set off on a cool, overcast evening, up the long climb, first on the road and then on uneven grassy tracks, up to the Stiperstones, before the descent on various paths, and over a variety of terrain, but also including some more short climbs, before the final run down through the trees, where the limited light meant keeping a good eye out for the roots on the narrow, winding path.
Tony Howsam was the first Croft runner back in 43:31, just ahead of Tim J (44:05). I was 1st over 80 (50:18), only a few seconds ahead of Gary G (50:31), who, from the photos taken on the descent, appeared to be well set to overtake, but he seems to have settled for first over 75.
98 runners completed the course, which was won by Oli Perratt of Ludlow Runners, in a mere 29:51, almost 2 minutes ahead of the 2nd place runner.
