Sedman-Smith wins a Mad Jack's thriller
Heavy rain turned to sunshine when Shrewsbury Athletic Club staged their eighth Mad Jack's Five-Mile Race in conjunction with the National Trust at Attingham Park.
There was a record pre-entry of more than 325 runners for Saturday's race, with even more runners – 344 – completing the course on the day.
The men's race produced the closest finish yet, between Newport & District Running Club's Robin Sedman-Smith and Shrewsbury Athletic Club's Gabe Morris.
Sedman-Smith was clear after the pond, but Morris made a late sprint finish and just failed to catch his rival on the line. Sedman-Smith won in 30 minutes 30 seconds, Morris one second behind. Unattached runner Neil O'Hanlon was third in 30.58.
The women's race was won by Kim Fawke of Lawley Running Club in 33.15, with Rachael Brown of Staffs Moorlands Athletic Club second in 35.22 and the unattached Sara Willholt third, 11 seconds further back.
Category Winners, men, seniors: Robin Sedman-Smith, Newport and District RC, 30.30. Over-40 Tom Foster, Mercia Fell Runners, 32.59; Over-45 Andrew Birch, Unattached, 32.27; Over-50 Richard Jones, Shrewsbury AC, 34.01; Over-55 Keith Silvester, Shropshire Shufflers, 33.55; Over-60 Leslie Richie, Unattached, 37.52; Over-65 Edward Christie, Unattached, 49.06; Over-70 Iain Day, Unattached, 43.20; junior men Under-18 Stan Morris, Unattached, 44.26; Under-23 Thomas Garbett, Unattached, 32.34.
Women, Seniors: Rachael Brown, Staffs Moorlands AC, 35.22; Over-40 Kim Fawke, Lawley RC, 33.15; Over-45 Anna Bartlett, Shrewsbury AC, 36.28; Over-50 Tracey Williams, Denbigh Harriers, 38.20; Over-55 Sarah Greaves, Oswestry Olympians, 45.52; Over-60 Libby Collinson, Shropshire Shufflers, 39.39, Over-65 Kathy Ling, Wrekin Road Runners, 78.52; junior women Under-18 Megan Owen-Jones, Wrekin Road Runners, 52.08; Under-23, Meggy Edwards, Unattached, 56.00.
