Runners hit the road to take part in
MORE than one thousand runners completed the stunning Cathedral to Castle Run this past weekend.
Some 1,037 runners arrived in the picturesque Tamworth Castle Grounds to rousing cheers from a welcoming crowd after completing the 10-mile multiterrain route connecting Lichfield Cathedral with Tamworth Castle. The runners overcame strong winds and testing terrain given all the recent rain to finish in pleasant spring conditions.
This year’s Cathedral to Castle Run (C2C) took place on Sunday morning, April 7, organised by Gary Williams of Seventeen43 Limited and benefiting a number of local charities and worthy causes in the community joining forces to volunteer to put the event on, including Rotary in Lichfield and Tamworth, The Stan Bowley Trust, Navy Cadets, Lichfield Police Cadets, Soroptimist International Lichfield and 7th Lichfield Guides.
The route took the runners
Gary Williams (event organiser), Daniel Floyd, second male with a time of 58 minutes 47 seconds, Archie Bradbury, first male with a time of 56 minutes 34 seconds, Julian Ayres, third male with a time of 59 minutes 57 seconds and Eddie Hughes.
The first female was Ceri Davies (centre) with a time of 1 hour 12 minutes 43 seconds. Jade Smithyman (left) was second female with a time of 1 hour 16 minutes 22 seconds. Jolijn Carpay was third female in 1 hour 16 minutes 37 seconds. from the start in Beacon Park, around Lichfield Cathedral, through Lichfield Market Square, out to the Whittington firing range, through Hopwas Woods, over the River Tame, and onto Tamworth via Wigginton Park to finish in the historic Castle Grounds.
Archie Bradbury was the first male over the line in a time of 56 minutes 34 second, ahead of Daniel Floyd (58 minutes 47 seconds) and Julian Ayres (59 minutes 57 seconds). Ceri Davies was the first female (1 hour 12 minutes 43 seconds), followed by Jade Smithyman (1 hour 16 minutes 22 seconds) and Jolijn Carpay (1 hour 16 minutes 37 seconds). First male and first female were presented with a voucher for a pair of running shoes from Alpha Sports.
Organiser Gary Williams said: “Congratulations to every runner who took part.
“Conditions were tough but the enthusiasm and positive spirit was there to see. Cathedral to Castle caters for runners of all abilities and it is brilliant to witness so many people enjoying the event.
“Very well done to all and thank you for your support.
“It is an event that the community can embrace, get involved in and help out.
“Thank you to all the wonderful marshals and volunteers who helped make the event a success. We had more than 80 marshals positioned along the route giving encouragement to the runners. This year’s event has raised over £3,500 for local charities and good causes, so well done all.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the main sponsor Jordan Financial Management for their sponsorship which is very much appreciated as is the assistance provided by all the supporters including Alpha Running, Tesco, Escape Time Lichfield, Deanslade Fitness, Midland Karting Limited and UK Boiler Fit.”
Next year’s event is already scheduled for Sunday, April 6, 2025.
Photographs by Mick Hall are available at https://mickhallphotos.photohawk.com/galleries/cathedral-to-castle-2024.