Runaway success for Market Drayton 10k volunteers
An endurance race that attracts top runners to Shropshire has beaten thousands of other events to win a national award.
The Market Drayton 10k has become one of the largest events of its kind in the Midlands, with runners from across the region taking part each year.
The race started as a carnival fun-run but was established as a serious 10k race in 2004. Now the race has been ranked as the third best 10k in the country by The Running Awards, beating running events in London and Manchester.
The result was announced at a glitzy awards ceremony at the O2 in London on Thursday night.
Race director Tim Beckett said with just two weeks to go until this year's event, the news was a "huge boost".
He said: "We are shocked and over the moon to achieve third place out of more than 3,000 10K races. We beat London 10K and Manchester 10K to name a few, which have thousands of pounds thrown at them, large sponsors and a full-time team.
"Market Drayton 10k is run by a handful of volunteers, so I am very really proud.
"This was the first time we had entered these awards and the competition was extremely tough.
"These awards are the equivalent of the Oscars so even being listed as one of the top 10 would have been brilliant."
There will be 2,500 runners, including several internationals, taking part in this year's race on May 7, which starts at 11am.
Mr Beckett said marshals were still needed to help out on the day.
"The plans are going well but we do still need more helpers and marshals," he said.
"Under the traffic management plan, we have to have every road junction manned so we need 95 marshals.
"In addition, we need an extra 30 people to help out at the fun run and a team of 40 on the field for the start/finish, T-shirt giveaway, etc.
"We need about 160 people in total. About 80 people have signed up so far so we still need another 80. It is only for a couple of hours and volunteers get a goody bag for helping."
Anyone that wants to help can either email Mr Beckett on marketdrayton10K@gmail.com or call 07808 144348.
Last year the race was named the UK's best 10k race in the county for the fourth year running by Runner's World magazine.
