Runners complete Shrewsbury Half Marathon in sweltering heat
With an electric atmosphere and plenty of spectator support, runners did their best to complete the Shrewsbury Half Marathon yesterday as temperatures hit more than 21C.
Just over one and half thousand runners completed the half marathon yesterday with its new start and finish at The Shropshire Showground.
The 13.1 mile course attracted runners from all over the country and sent runners through 6 miles of Shropshire countryside, before heading into the Shrewsbury Town Centre.
Shrewsbury mayor Councillor Beverley Baker got the race under way at just after 10.20am after a delayed start which organisers said was due to the vast amount of traffic trying to get into the showground.
Paul Ward, 47 from the Telford Athletics Club was first to finish with a time of one hour and 12 minutes, which averaged at an impressive 5.35 minutes per mile.
Some people took part at a competitive angle while others went along for the fun and accomplishment and and to raise awareness or money for a good cause.
Organisers said they were delighted with the turnout as it built on last year’s run with 1,800 entries.
