45th Annual Wrekin Race this weekend

Hundreds of people walk up and down the Wrekin and Ercall each week, but on Sunday 29th March starting at 11am, runners will be tackling the local landmark aiming to run to the top and back as quickly as possible.

The 45th Annual Wrekin Race organised by Telford Athletic Club, who are celebrating their 50th year since they were formed, is one of the oldest races in Shropshire.

Runners or fast walkers of all abilities are welcome to come along and have a go and enter on the day or in advance through the Si entries site. It is also the final race in the Shropshire Winter Series sponsored by The Outdoor Depot in Church Stretton.

The race that first started in 1977, was one of the first races that Telford Athletic Club ever organised after they were formed in 1976 and has been held every year since except in 2001 when the foot and mouth outbreak stopped the race being held and then again in 2013 when the race was cancelled due to heavy snow at the end of March.

There was also a break from 2020 to last year initially due to Covid precautions. This years race will be the 45th occasion that the Wrekin Race has been held.

The 5 and a half mile race route which has remained the same since 1977, starts and finishes at Ercall Wood Technology College in Golf Links Lane, Wellington.

The route climbs to the top of the Ercall Hill before descending to the Forest Glen, runners then head to the top of the Wrekin starting off on the main track then turning right up the scree path to the Halfway House before following the main path to the summit and returning the same way.

Most runners usually complete the course in under an hour, but over the years the race has attracted some of the best fell runners in the country and the fastest times were set by former British Champions John Wild from RAF Cosford, who ran the course in a staggering 34.27 in 1980 and Carol Haigh from Holmfirth in Yorkshire won the 1986 womens race in 40.47.

The last race held in 2025 race was won by Oliver Perratt, from Ludlow, who went onto win the Shropshire Winter Series, in 38.34, who was also the first Shropshire finisher with Joanne Mosley from Pennine Fell Runners who won the womens race in 49.30, whilst Mel Price won the 1st Shropshire womans trophy, who was 2nd overall in 51.13

.The fastest ever times by a Telford AC runner is Heather Anslow who ran 44.18 in 1986 and Mark Flint with 36.25 in 1985.

Over the years the race has attracted some of the best fell runners in the country and has been an English, British and Inter Counties Championship race. Several leading Shropshire runners feature in the all time fastest times.

When the race was the National Inter Counties Championships in 2005, Will Levett from Newcastle, South Shropshire won the race for Shropshire in 35.36 the 9th fastest time ever, just behind him in 10th is Mike James who ran for Shrewsbury AC won in 2007 in 35.38, the only other Shropshire runner who features in the top 50 ever is Telford AC’s Mark Flint from Edgmond who has the 28th fastest time.

Shropshire women have far more names in the top 50 led by Rachel Parker who is the 4th fastest.

Other Shropshire runners included who are all race winners were Emma Gould, 11th all time in 44.24 in 2015, 21st Polly Gibb 45.10 in 1989, 22nd Anna Bartlett 45.15 in 2012, Mel Price 23rd in 45.17 in 2016 and more recently in 2018 Sara Willhoit 34th in 46.31.

Anna Bartlett holds the record number of victories in the race having won the womens race a record 6 times.

There are also races for young athletes who run a shorter 2 mile route up and down the Ercall Hill. There are young athletes races for Under 14’s, Under 16’s and Under 18’s ages as on 31st December 2026, minimum age is 12 years of age on the 31st December 2026.

Race organiser Alison Preece says, “The beauty of the race is that it caters for runners and walkers of all abilities over the age of 16 and anyone may enter even if they are not affiliated to a club but just fancy having a go.

“The race is organised under the Fell Runners Association rules and depending on the weather conditions race organisers can insist in additional clothing and equipment being carried, details are available on the race website.

“All entries are taken on the day from 9.30 am at Ercall Wood Technology College, the Wrekin Race’