Cracker 2009

Andy Davies from Forden near Welshpool stormed to an impressive victory in this years Cardington Cracker 9 mile Hill Race. He retained the title he won last year and is now on track to challenge his brother Tim's record of winning 4 Cardington races. As well as being a Welsh International Fell Runner, Davies is also a regular first team footballer for Caersws in the Welsh league having played the previous day when they lost 3-1 at home to Bangor City.

The Mercia Fell Runner, took charge early into the race and had a clear lead by the summit of the second summit of Caer Caradoc. He had extended that lead to almost two minutes by the time he reached the finish, in Cardington village in 1 hour 12 minutes and 29 seconds, just 15 seconds slower than when he won last year. Davies, who has now been in the top 3 5 times since 1999, having also finished 3rd in 1999, 2001 and 2007. 

Steven Cale,of Shrewsbury AC, winner of the recent Wrekin Wrecker race and who is currently leading the Shropshire Winter Fell Running Series was second in 1.14.20. The Wrekin College teacher who spent some of his summer holiday doing voluntary work in Malawi on a college project has made remarkable progress in the last twelve months aftere finishing 23rd and eleven minutes slower in this race last year.

Former Bridgnorth runner Pete Vale, was 3rd in 1.16.32 maintaining his consitent record in this race having been 3rd last year and in 2003, 5th in 2007 and 2nd in 2004.

Matt Clewes from Newport, a Mercia runner,was the first over 50 veteran in 1.24.47 and will remain 3rd in the Shropshire series.

In the field of 235 finishers, the 6th highest in the 22 year history of the race, there were runners from all areas of the country. leading local finishers were 10th Simon White, Mercia, 1.24.00, 16th Ed Davies,Mercia, 2nd O/50 1.26.56, 24th Colin Lancaster, Telford AC, 4th O/45 1.28.27, 25th Simon Daws, Telford AC, 1st over 55 1.28.35, 39th Henry Thomas, Telford AC, 1.31.38, 42nd Nick Eyke, Oswestry 3rd O/50 1.32.25, 43rd Mark Agnew, Mercia 1.32.27.

Helen Fines, representing Calder Valley, a Yorkshire club, won the womens race for the 3rd year consecutive year equalling Polly Gibb from Coalbrookdale's record between 1999 and 2001. Her winning time this year was 1.27.47 over 3 minutes outside her own course record which she set in 2007. Andrea Rowlands from Eryri was second in 1.29.40 with Val Swingler, winner of this years Stretton Skyline and current leader of the Shropshire Winter Series, was 3rd in 1.33.48 and the first over 40 veteran. Telford AC's Michelle Clarke made her debut in the race finishing 4th in 1.36.17 with Mercia's Mel Price was 5th in 1.36.28. Newport's Helen Skelton, currently second in the Shropshire series was 6th on the day in 1.40.11. Other leading Shropshire finishers were the Oswestry Olympians pair of Ali Tickner 11th, 1.46.33 and Jackie Jarvis 13th 1.51.34 whilst Jean Turner from Telford Harriers was 14th and the 3rd over 45 vet.

Paul Sanderson