This year's race took place on Sunday 18th May, the course running from the old Rifle Range at the foot of the hill to Heaven Gate near the summit. The 2009 date will be confirmed early next year.

The competition was tough, but for the eighth year running, victory in the four man contest went to Hobsons Harriers of the Cock Hotel, Wellington. Last year's winning time had already been broken by a team from Newport and District Runners earlier in the morning, meaning that that boys from Wellington had to pull out all the stops to retain their crown and beat the record yet again. Incredibly, they did, crossing the finishing line in under 22 minutes.

The Flying Falcons were winners of the women's race - yet again - and an impressive six contenders entered the 'lunatic' challenge to carry a full barrel single-handed. Winner in this category was Gareth Evans of Telford Wines, with 18 year old Tom Portman (another Cock Hotel staff member) coming in a close second. See the tables below for full results.

FULL 2008 RESULTS

CLASSIC MALE FOUR (4 MEN, ONE FULL BARREL):

WOMEN'S CHALLENGE (4 WOMEN, ONE EMPTY BARREL):

THE LUNATIC (ONE MAN, ONE FULL BARREL!)

FANCY DRESS CHALLENGE (MIXED FOUR, ONE EMPTY BARREL)

BACKGROUND TO THE RACE 

Organised by the Shrewsbury Lions Club between 1998 and 2004, the Wrekin Barrel Race is now overseen by Graham Webster and a small group of volunteers from Wellington. We are grateful to the Lions' original Barrel Race website, from which much of the text below is taken.

Although relatively new to Shropshire's sporting calendar, the race certainly evokes something of May Sundays on The Wrekin long ago. Two hundred years ago at the boisterous Wrekin Wakes, barrels of ale would no doubt have been hauled up the hill in order to oil the celebrations at the top. Our Barrel Race is a much less drunken affair, however (and the barrels filled with water so as not to waste good beer).

TAKING PART

The objective is to carry a full 9 gallon beer barrel from the bottom of The Wrekin to the top in the quickest possible time. There are four classes of entry: 

The Classic - team of four men with a full 9 gallon barrel Women's Challenge - team of four women with an empty 9 gallon barrelFancy Dress Challenge - team of four (all male / all female / mixed) in fancy dress with an empty barrel The Lunatic - one individual with a full 9 gallon barrel (must be accompanied for safety reasons)

There are prizes and trophies for the various classes as well as Certificates of Participation for all with a record of their time from bottom to top.

To read more about the route and the rules of the race, and to register to take part in the 2009 event (date to be confirmed)

SPECTATING

Spectators are of course welcome - in fact the more the merrier, and there's always a great atmosphere to go with the great panoramic views.

To see the teams set off, stand at the old Rifle Range on Wrekin Course (the first sets off at 11am and the rest, one by one, every few minutes thereafter). Once the course joins the main path near the Halfway House, there is sufficient room for spectators to watch from the sidelines, but most gather around the finishing line. Remember that these people are fast and the first team will probably be at the finish around 11.20am, so this is the time to aim for if you want to see all the teams come in.

There won't be any refreshments provided by the organisers, so you might want to bring your own picnic or pick up an ice cream from Tom at the Halfway House.