It was a less stressful week for the majority of athletes at Wolverhampton & Bilston AC however this was not the case for those brave enough to dip their toes in the dangerous waters of the Telford 10k. The race is usually one of the highlights of the year as it attracts many runners of elite standard, international class athletes and those looking to finish the year with a very fast time, the fact that the first 27 runners to cross the line finished under 30 minutes just underlines the quality of the event. It’s a massive event and as a result feels particularly stressful, even more so when you arrive and see athletes skipping around the car park like gazelles with the sniff of lion in their nostrils.
Dan Turner was first home for the club producing a massive PB in the first wave crossing the line in a rapid 33.55 to take 180th place, Louise Hackett next home in 36.19 in 297th place, Dave Norman was 382nd in 38.34, Ben Rawlings finished in 39.31 in 426th, Shaun Bennett was one place and one second behind with 39.32 for 427th, surprisingly quick for someone who says he’s injured, Rob Edwards was 588th in 43.36, Garry Palmer climbed from his sick bed to record a time of 43.15 for 575th place, Peter McCullugh was 632nd in 45.41, Ceri Card was 683rd in 47.43, Lisa Johnson 730th in 49.07 and Nicola Willoughby finished in 56.15 to take 894th place.
There was also a considerable presence at Sneyd for the annual Christmas Pudding Run. Liz Watney Moran completed the double lap 10 mile option in 1.55.16 however plenty went for the single lap alternative and competed in the 5 mile alternative. Praised Patel was amongst the prizes in 2nd place in a blistering 28.27, less than 30 seconds behind the winner, Dylan Illidge finished in 5th in 29.49, Harry Cresswell was 18th in 33.55, Sarah Thurley claimed 22nd spot overall in 34.18, taking 1st in her age group, Mark Illidge was 40th in 37.18, Ivan Fletcher 194th in 50.26 and Ian Cresswell was 276th in 1.00.43.