20th Bells Run attracts over 800 entries
On a beautiful sunny October morning the 20th Pattingham Bells Run took place on Sunday 18th October 2009. Over 800 individual and club runners from all over the country competed in the the race with Daniel Beier from Tipton Harriers being the overall winner with a time of 39 minutes 58 seconds.
As part of the 20th year celebrations, the first-ever Junior Race for youngsters ages 11 to 16 took place. The two mile course started and finished in the same places as the main 7 mile race. There were three age groups, up to 13, up to 15 and up to 17. All of the 50 entrants received a commemorative medal and goody bag, with the winners of each group being awarded a special laser engraved acrylic trophy.
The main run results and the junior run results are available by using the menu on the left.
All race finishers in the main 7 mile race received a commemorative brass which had been specially designed for the occasion. Also, all finishers were given a slice of Bells Run fruit cake and a hot drink. Nine large cakes (approx. 60 x 30cms) are made by Sue Riches from the village, which are then cut and wrapped into 900 slices by a team of ladies from the St Chad's Church Social Committee.
Main Run Prize Winners
| Position | Name | Club | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st overall | Daniel Beier | Tipton Harriers | 39:58 |
| 2nd overall | John Bowie | TRI Smart | 40:56 |
| 3rd overall | Ross Jones | W-ton & Bilston AC | 41:02 |
| 4th overall | Ian Mansell | Centurion RR | 41:31 |
| 5th overall | Greg Wilson | Telford AC | 41:47 |
| 1st Lady | Michelle Clark | Telford Harriers | 46:48 |
| 2nd lady | Jane Hawkins | Bromsgrove & Redditch AC | 48:04 |
| 3rd Lady | Fiona Collisson | 49:47 | |
| 1st Man 40+ | Simon Link | Stourbridge RC | 42:34 |
| 1st Man 50+ | Stephen Roberts | Oswestry Olympians | 47:10 |
| 1st Man 60+ | David Humphreys | Shropshire Shufflers | 51:11 |
| 1st Lady 40+ | Jane Hawkins | Bromsgrove & Redditch AC | 48:04 |
| 1st Lady 50+ | Libby Collinson | Shropshire Shufflers | 54:13 |
| 1st Lady 60+ | Christine Sedman-Smith | Kidderminster & Stourport AC | 59:13 |
| 1st Pattingham Runner | Alan Griffiths | 47:11 | |
| 1st Pattingham Lady | Karen Hadley | 57:33 |
Junior Run Winners
| Age group | Order | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 13 | 1st | Thomas Garbett | Hannah Albutt |
| 2nd | Joseph Smith | Alexandra Hale | |
| 3rd | James Campbell | Millie Barker | |
| Under 15 | 1st | Daniel Kennedy | Sophie Albutt |
| 2nd | Matthew Anslow | Sophie Bray | |
| 3rd | Oliver Ramskill | ||
| Under 17 | 1st | Josh Lines | Julie Addison |
| 2nd | Jon Benton | Garbrielle O'Gara | |
| 3rd | Jack Davies | Jenny Detheridge |
Photographs are available on the Church website and on Brian Smith's flickr site as well as the Express and Star website.
Once again, thanks to all those who helped with the event. Around 150 people assist in marshalling the race and village traffic, manning the Help Desk and taking 'on-the-day' registrations. Thanks also go the Pattingham Bell Ringers, who rang the church bells during the run, and the band of ladies who prepare and serve the hundreds of pieces of harvest cake with a hot cup of tea. Thanks also to the farmers for their cooperation on the actual course.
WCR fm 101.8 radio station whose team of Jan Brookfield (Producer), Jason and 'Fish' (Programme presenters) were especially helpful in promoting the Bells Run by broadcasting interviews with Tony Ainsworth and Mike Coope in the studio and 'live' on the day in Pattingham. (www.wcrfm.com) As a 'Thank You', three pieces of 'Bells Run' cake will be delivered to the studio for Jan, Jason and Fish.
Thanks also go to all the publications and radio stations that took up our Press Releases and published details of this year's run. We would particularly like to mention Ad News, Wolverhampton Chronicle, Staffordshire Journal, The Villager, Express & Star and Pattingham Parish magazine.
Raynet (communications), the Red Cross and the Community Paramedics were again on duty and we thank them for their attendance which ensures the welfare of all runners taking part in the run.
As previous years, donations will be made to various local charities including the Air Ambulance plus the Village School, the Village Playing Fields Association, Raynet and the Air Cadets, who provide our car parking attendants. Remaining proceeds from the Bells Run are given to St. Chad's Church, Pattingham.
Thank you for your support.
Publicity: Mike Coope (email: church@sensorland.com)
Pattingham Church website: www.pattingham-church.org
