A historic race around a Shropshire town is returning as a bigger and better event this year and organisers are keen to hear from businesses who want to get involved and complete the race.
The Bayley Mile is a traditional road race around Wellington which started in the 1930s and was revived 28 years ago.
This year the town’s businesses and the general public have been invited to compete in the race, which takes place on May 7, in the inaugural ‘Armstrong Race’.
“The event, which is run by Wellington Town Council, was opened up to retailers and the public last year and we had a great response, so this year we would love to hear from as many people as possible to take part,” said Adrienne Taylor, events and regeneration officer at Wellington Town Council.
“It should be a lot of fun with some very healthy competition between the shops and local people.
“All Wellington schools have been invited and we normally get about 120 runners completing the course around the town.
“It is always a pleasure to see the enthusiasm of the competitors as they run round the streets of Wellington and we look forward to another successful event this year.”
The original race was the idea of John Bayley who founded a school, later to be renamed Wrekin College, at the age of 27, and who was knighted in 1921 for his services to education.
It was revived in 1996 when Jim Mostyn of Wrekin College and Gary Davies as Mayor of Wellington decided to hold an event which would bring local schools together in a competitive environment.
The pupils’ race will start at 1pm and the race for businesses will start at 2.45pm from the ‘swimming pool east’ car park. Anyone interested in taking part should contact adrienne.taylor@wellington-shropshire.gov.uk
Pictured is last years winner Dave Bradshaw from DB Computers in Wellington Market with former Mayor of Wellington Cllr Paul Davis