Duncan Birtwistle gets off to a flying start
Duncan Birtwistle started the defence of his Shropshire Hills Summer Series in fine style by taking victory in the Caradoc Classic, writes Paul Sanderson.
The annual fell race, organised by Telford Athletic Club, launched this year’s championship.
The three-mile course started and finished on Watling Street North and included a climbs to the summit of Caer Caradoc, passing Three Fingers Rock then along the ridge before descending by the more direct route down the front of Caer Caradoc back along Cwms Road.
And it was Telford AC’s Birtwistle, winner of the race in 2015, who was celebrating after coming home first in a time of 25.12.
Wenlock Olympians Robbie Cooper has made a big impact on the Shropshire Fell Running scene in recent weeks and maintained his fine form by coming home just two second behind Birtwistle.
Mercia’s Tim Werrett came home third in 25.20 while Telford’s under-15 William Kay, who was fifth last year, ran just under two minutes quicker this time around to finish a superb fourth in 25.31.
Huw Davies from Mercia was fifth with his team-mate Simon Adney completing the top six.
Mercia’s Zoe Barber won the women’s race in 28.37 – the eighth fastest time in the race’s history.
Lily Higgins made her trip from Halesowen worthwhile by claiming second place in 29.18.
Mercia’s Amy Partridge took third in a time of 29.29 in what was a good quality women’s race with eight runners running faster than 34 minutes to get their names on the all-time list.
Amber Cadman-Gibb (32.09) was fourth with Telford AC’s Lucie Tait Harris fifth, which gained her the spoils in the over-40 category. Mercia’s Suzanne Kapitanic came home sixth in 32.19.
