The daffodils were out, the villagers were out and even the sun put in an appearance to make the first Lilleshall Monumental race in Lilleshall a truly successful occasion! Glenn Mac Donald Jones, secretary of Newport running and district club would have been the envy of St Nicholas himself, as he quietly dragged his sack around the fields of the village laying out the 10 k course, whilst runners slowly awoke to see a major transformation! What is normally a quiet hamlet was prepared with ‘caution runner’ signs and traffic cones, in anticipation of the day’s events!

The attendance on the day was overwhelming and the atmosphere was what you would expect of a friendly close-knit community. Over 160 people took part in the fun run which saw mums, dads, children and grandchildren take on the challenge of a 2k circuit around the village culminating in a run up and over Lilleshall Hill. The 10k run was equally well supported with over 100 entrants taking part on the arduous trek that had been cleverly devised by Phil Hill, one of the organisers.

Locally, all supported the event. The cricket club provided the venue whilst the fantastic stewards guided and encouraged the runners. Kim and Martin Kells provided the fabulous promotional material and local farmers, Andrew Craddock and David Williams kindly allowed the run to take in parts of their land.

Support from the wider community was also evident, with Mark Pritchard MP, despite a knee injury, joining in with the race and Andrew Eade, Leader of Telford and Wrekin Council Starting the event. Cathy Cooper, local children’s author was in attendance and kindly donated a copy of her excellent novel ‘The Golden Acorn’ to William Hughes the first boy back from the fun run and Maddie Davies the first girl.

First male over the line for the 10k was Robin Sedman-Smith from Telford Athletics club coming home with the staggering time of 39min 19 sec. It was wonderful to see Jane Stait, from Telford Harriers club and also a resident of the village, being awarded the first prize, for first woman over the line, at 47 min 44 sec.

‘Mums on the run’ organisers (now converts to Newport and District running club), Wendy Hill, Helen Holdroyd and Jan Locke, were incredulous at the turnout; there were half clad luminous lycra bodies zooming around in every direction! Not quite their usual Sunday afternoons, which typically consists of pegging out washing and preparing the uniforms for the following week!

Monies raised on the day far exceeded £1000 and Lilleshall Primary school can now look forward to replenishing sports equipment for the children to continue to enjoy sporting activities and foster further enthusiasm for fitness and health.

When the sounds of the horn being blown signalling the start of the race and the laughter of people enjoying the BBQ at the cricket club, had died down, we were once again left with the peals of the bells of St Michaels Church in the distance and the far-off sounds of livestock. Quietness has again fallen over the village, but a buzz and new energy has been left with all those who took part, now looking forward to planning their fitness regime for next year’s event! Don’t miss it!