Mercia Fell Runners Club

On 27th February a gorgeous baby girl born to Andy and Amanda Smith  - 7lb 15oz Ruby Louise. Amanda and Ruby and doing fine,
AND,    
Thomas Vale weighed in at just under 7lb on 7th March, a lovely new baby boy for Pete and Susie Vale. Susie and Thomas are both fine.
Congratulations to all.

Our fellow Mercia Member Susan Howarth and possibly soon to be member, but nevertheless, friend, Kim Braznell are planning an attempt on the Paddy Buckley Round on the weekend of the 26th June this year.  They are aiming for the times published on the Website which give a total time of 23hrs and 30 minutes.  If anyone would like to join them to give support as pacer or navigator please contact Sue at 01299 253663 or 07817768835.

Mercia Fellrunners are to put in a bid to host a round of English or British Championships for 2011, the race that we would like to use for this prestigous event, is The Long Mynd Valleys, to do this we are going to need to move some of our dates around, so next year the Cardingmill Canter will be on Saturday 5th February, The Titterstone Clee will be on Saturday 5th March and The Long Mynd Valleys will be on Sunday 6th March, all date are subjecty to ratification and will appear on the website at the end of the year

Series results for The Shropshire Hill Winter Series are now posted on the website, with just one race left in the Series some of the main catagory winners seem to have penciled their names to the respective trophies, Steven Cale for one had another impressive win last Saturday to make winning the s
Series overall an almost mathematic certainty, Val Swingler, Ian Grindle, Kim Braznell, Matthew Clewes, Simon Dawes, Gary Gunner and Colin Williiamson all seem to have done the same in their respective classes.

What a really great night - probably beat the Oscars for glitz, glamour and Trophies!!  A lovely candlelit ambience greeted the diners as they entered the Champagne Suite at the Buckatree Hall Hotel besides the Wrekin, a splendid begining to the evening of fun and terrific food preceeded the main event where we all presented trophies to each other and generally patted each other on the back, we had such a good time that we felt sorry for all you guys who couldn't come.

Well that seemed to go OK, phew!

A little drizzle before the start, but by race time it had gone leaving a cool dry race, ideal running conditions, but no records were broken today.

The overall race was won by Steven Cale of SAC in 40.36, more than 3 minutes ahead of second placed Paul Jones of Oswestry Olympians in 43.50. First lady was Anna Bartlett, also of SAC, in 47.49, with our own Mel Price of Mercia in second place in 49.09 - watch out Anna, Mel is catching up!

Results from today race can now be viewed by clicking here
A race report from race organiser Dave Nichols will appear soon, photographs from Alistair will also appear on is website shortly click here for a link to Fellrunning pictures

For those of you intending to park in Cardingmill Valley, the National Trust car park fee is normally £2 for 2 hours. However, for race competitors (and their entourage) an arrangement has been agreed with the National Trust to waive the time-limit, so your £2 ticket will be valid all day. To qualify for this waiver you must buy a parking ticket as normal then attach it to a voucher you will be given by a race marshal as you enter the valley. The ticket and voucher must be left clearly visible in your car.

There are also a few free car parking spaces in the town.