Cardington Cracker Fell Race

2017 Results at the bottom of this page
About the Cracker
The Cardington Cracker. It’s an institution. Over 200 turn out on a cold December day to pay homage to this annual fell race as part of the traditional runners build up to Christmas. It’s 9 miles and 2,600 feet of hell but well worth it for the carrot soup followed by a few pints of Shropshire Lad in the Royal Oak.

History Of The Cardington Cracker
See a complete list of past winners of the race in the library below.

A Tribute To The Cracker
Read the Mick Ward’s pictorial tribute to the Cardington Cracker – see below in the library.

Parking
Please park as directed and do not use the Royal Oak Pub Car Park. If parking on the small village hall car park, respect other users who may be at church and will need to leave before the end of the race.

The Course
The route can be found on the Ordnance Survey Explorer 217 Map 1:25,000. Some of the course is on private land, which we gain permission to use on race day. Please ensure that any training overthe course is restricted to public areas. Please do not bring dogs, as several areas contain livestock. Not suitable for inexperienced runners. Most of the course is marked or obvious.

The race starts in Cardington, crossing open pasture leading gradually leading to Enchmarsh, it then follows a dirt track before dropping steeply through a narrow section of woodland called Hoar Edge. The route then climbs the side of The Lawley (1236 feet), the first checkpoint. The fast, grassy descent is down the ridge to Comley Farm and through the fields towards Caer Caradoc. The route up Caer Caradoc follows the green lane along the base of the hill to the sheep pens, then takes a diagonal line directly to the summit (1506 feet),the second checkpoint. The descent follows the high ground to Three Fingers Rock, then a steep descent to the stream before climbing up the side of Helmeth Hill to Gaerstones Farm, the third checkpoint. The route climbs to The Gaerstones Hill then follows the Hope Bowdler ridge to Willstone Hill, the final checkpoint. After descending past the Battlestones the course climbs again to the Wilderness, before dropping down through a series of fields and stiles to the finish field in Cardington.

Ordnance Survey Explorer 217
Start SO 505953
Lawley SO 495975
Comley farm road SO 485968
Caer Caradoc SO 478954
Gaerstone farm SO 469935
Willstone Hill SO 485943
Wilderness SO 486952
Folly Bank road SO 496959
Finish SO 505953

Equipment
FRA Rules state that all runners should carry waterproof body cover,hat, gloves, map, compass, whistle and emergency food.

All runners must carry this equipment whatever the weather.

Entry – £6.00 (payable to Telford Athletic Club) in advance or on the day. Over 16’s only. To Paul Sanderson, 6 Spring Village, Telford, Shropshire. TF4 2LY. Tel : 0771 534 7587

Entry Form in attachments at the bottom of this page.

SAE for details. All numbers must be collected on the day. Bring your own pins. E Mail: jpsanderson_tac@hotmail.com