The Wrekin Barrel Race takes place annually, formerly in June, but from 2013 on the third Sunday in September. The course runs from the old Rifle Range at the foot of the hill to Heaven Gate near the summit. Teams set off on a timed start from 11am, the first expected to arrive at the top in around 20 minutes.
To read more about the route and the rules of the race, and to register to take part in the next event,
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 barrel
Fancy 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.
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.