Hi Bill.
What roads are you planning to use on the Hereford-Shrewsbury-Runcorn section? I have a suspicion you are going to say A49. As you describe yourself as a novice cyclist can I recommend you don't as it is not a nice road for cycling (it's a trunk route between South Wales and Liverpool/Manchester - plenty of lorries and impatient motorists).
Edit: From Hereford can I suggest the A4110 as far as Leintwardine then the B4385 to Bishops Castle. From there take the unclassified road which passes Norbury, Wentnor and Ratlinghope then goes through Pulverbatch, Longden & into Shrewsbury (crosses the A5 at Shrewsbury on a bridge avoiding an awkward junction).
From Shrewsbury, the A528 followed by the B5476 through Wem to Whitchurch.
North of Whitchurch it is a bit more difficult as there isn't an obvious parallel route. Perhaps someone who knows that area better than me can make a suggestion?
Best of luck with it.