Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury 10k challenge 2019 - in pictures

This year's Shrewsbury 10k saw more than 2,000 runners pound the county town's streets, with a slightly altered route due to flooding.

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A turn of speed through the town

Runners ran a slightly altered route when the race got underway at 9am on Sunday.

Photographers and well wishers lined the streets - and here are some of their pictures.

The popular event, now in its 4th year, went ahead almost as planned with a diversion to avoid flooded paths in the Quarry.

The Abbey Foregate car park spilled over with runners' vehicles after the Frankwell Riverside car park was closed, thanks to high water levels after heavy rain over the weekend.

The race itself went off without a hitch though, with regulars and first-timers alike cheered on by huge crowds throughout.

Around 2,000 people took part in the race

Race organiser Tom Meehan said: "It's fantastic, brilliant to have such support from local people and from people who have travelled to be here.

"It is good to see so many people here, and I think when the weather is nice people stick around in the town which is good."

The weather for the run itself was ideal, with clear skies and a light breeze, though heavy rain resumed at about 10.30am.

The first two runners to finish both hailed from the Tipton Harriers club, and both were first-timers to the event.

Richard Carpenter, 29, finished first in 32 minutes and 34 seconds, with Jonathan Carter, 34, only five seconds behind.

The two entered the race as training for the Midland 12 Stage Road Relays, and were impressed with the atmosphere in Shropshire's county town.

Jonathan said: "It reminds me of my hometown run in East Yorkshire, it has a nice town centre finish.

"I was out drinking all day at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday, I didn't feel great at the start, so I'm happy to run under 33 minutes.

"If it works out with schedules and things I think we will be back in future."

Richard said: "There seemed to be a good level of support the whole way round, which really helps on the uphill bits."

Just behind the pair from Tipton was Patrick Townsend, a Shrewsbury native who studies in Nottingham and runs with a club there.

Patrick, 23, finished in 32 minutes and 57 seconds. This was his second Shrewsbury 10k, after he took up running three years ago.