The Wrekin Barrel Race
The Wrekin Barrel Race took place annually between the late 1990s and 2013.
The course ran from the old Rifle Range at the foot of the hill to Heaven Gate near the summit. Teams would set off on a timed start from 11am, the first expected to arrive at the top in around 20 minutes.
Organised by the Shrewsbury Lions Club between 1998 and 2004, the Wrekin Barrel Race was then overseen by Tony Nicholls and a small group of volunteers pulled together by Wellington H2A.
The race evoked 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). Alas insurance costs and the associated organising become overwhelming and the Wrekin Barrel Race – for now at least – is part of Wellington H2A history.
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.