Staffordshire Way relay runners beat target for 92-mile footpath trail
THE inaugural Staffordshire Way relay saw runners smash the target of covering 92 miles of footpath in less than 24 hours.
As part of Staffordshire Day and promoted by the Staffordshire group of CPRE (the Countryside Charity), the event started at Mow Cop at the northern-most point, and ran through Staffordshire Day Sunday, May 1, culminating in a race uphill to its final destination on Kinver Edge at its southernmost point.
Kinver-based coordinator Sally Harris brought the runners home in a highly respectable collective time of 18 hours and 26 minutes!
The event arose from CPRE Staffordshire’s initiative to promote the county’s countryside by reigniting enthusiasm for the often overlooked long distance trail.
CPRE Staffordshire trustee and organiser Steve Anderson said, “Staffordshire has a brilliant mixture of different landscapes and the route of the Staffordshire Way manages to include a bit of all of them”. Runners from across the county took part, kicking off at Mow Cop with ultra runners Andy Megarrell and Mark Egerton covering almost 40 miles between them.
CPRE Staffordshire’s Sue Kneillboxley took the seven-mile stretch from Uttoxeter to Abbots Bromley handing to a team of four, headed by Stevie Gee of Cannock Chase Trail Runners.
Paul Rochfort, Staffordshire County Council’s principal rights of way officer, took over from Great Haywood to Penkridge.
He enjoyed it so much he joined in with the following leg to Brewood too.
The latter sections of the Way were ably completed by Sally and friends – Kelly, Julie, Abbie, Jimmy and H.
Paul said the event had constituted a “really positive day, that’s how it should be!”
CPRE Staffordshire plan to work with a team of volunteers, many who have already been out and walked sections of the Way, to help make the route a positive experience for more visitors to enjoy.
There is much to see along the tracks and paths of the Way – from its rugged rocky beginnings in the north through its blend of woodland, farmland and waterways on its journey to its hilly sandstone outcrop in the south.
A surprising mix of wildlife, and less wild creatures, can be spotted including raptors, graylag geese, deer, hares and, surprisingly, ostriches!
CPRE, The Countryside Charity, perhaps better known for its work in planning, has a network of county groups working to promote, protect and enhance the countryside in their local areas through activities such as guided walks open to all, litter picking and tree and hedge planting.
You can donate to the work of CPRE Staffordshire by visiting its Just Giving page at www. justgiving.com/campaign/ Cprestaffswayrelay