Stretton Skyline

Three members of Newport and District running club took part in one of Shropshire’s most gruelling fell races at the weekend. The Stretton Skyline race starts in Cardingmill valley and visits the summits of all the of the main hills visible from Church Stretton – Pole Bank on the Longmynd, Ragleth, Caer Caradoc, Lawley and then the Longmynd (again) before the final descent along Motts road into Church Stretton. One of the great things about the race is looking across the A49 valley to the amazing hills you have already climbed – as well as those you still have to do. At 19 miles and 4450 feet of climb it is a very tough race. On Sunday, the weather was just about perfect with a coolish start and clear visibility but in the later stages, there was a fierce headwind through the long climb out of Gogbatch valley. 80 runners completed the race including Newport’s Noel Hogan who had a very good run finishing 21st in 3:11:08. Sandy McKenzie kept up a determined pace to finish 45th in 3:30:47. And in his first attempt at the race, Roger Kerr ran brilliantly to finish in 70th position in 4:01:44.