It was first held in 1985 as a two lap road race.It has a course record of 14 mins dead set by Mark Flint runnng for Telford in 1986
On the 19th of May at 7: 30pm Telford Athletic Club planned to hold "The Phoenix Flyer 5km Road Race" for the 14th year. The race would have used the same basic course as in previous years starting and finishing on the Captain Webb schoolyard. This is the second race in the "Wrekin Sexarathon" series. In order for the race, and the series, to go ahead this year the organisers have been forced by circumstances beyond their control to take this race off the roads and on to the Phoenix fields. The road works currently being undertaken in Webb Crescent cannot be guaranteed to be completed before the race night. Because of this the Network management of Telford and Wrekin Council can not give permission for the race to go ahead. The Police could not in these circumstances guarantee the safety of runners and without their permission the organiser's insurance through the British Athletic Federation would not be valid. I would be grateful if you could publicise this last minute change of plans through the Shropshire Star and perhaps a debate could be started over the issues raised by the Police's increased sensitivity to the possibility of litigation because of their responsibility for safety. My opinion is that this is the death knell of the sport of road running.
Yours sincerely,
Dave Jackson {Race Organiser}
P.S. The Phoenix Flyer 5km will go ahead on Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM
Changing / starting at the Phoenix Centre, Webb Crescent. Dawley.
It will however be on grass rather than Tarmac.
If any runners want a refund on their entry fee for this race Telford Athletic Club will do this but the race remains part of the Sexarathon series.
Roads wear out your knees...
