Express & Star

Commonwealth Games double gold medalist Jodie Stimpson takes Christmas Pudding in her stride

Triathlon star Jodie Stimpson spread some Yuletide sparkle when she graced the starting line of the Sneyd Striders' festive run.

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The 25-year-old, who took two gold medals in this year's Commonwealth Games, was guest-of-honour at the club's annual Christmas Pudding run in Willenhall.

Jodie, from Oldbury, put on a dazzling display, romping home well ahead of the rest of the 500-strong field.

Runners, some of them beginners, were thrilled to be competing in the same event as the champion who has recently returned from a training stint in Kenya and is aiming to make GB's 2016 Olympics squad.

The club's cross-country captain Kate Christian said: "It was fantastic for them and all of us to have Jodie there.

"She's a local girl and supports us whenever she can. It was good of her to come, given her busy training schedule."

The event was a chance for less serious runners to get dressed up in Christmas costumes and have a bit of fun.

The route was awash with red-suited Santas, elves and, taking the name of the race to heart, even a Christmas pudding. One of the marshals, Ian Maullin, dressed upas a penguin.

Vernon Way in Bloxwich was closed between Sneyd Lane and Crab Lane to allow runners to take part safely in the two-lap course. They chose between five and 10-mile distances.

All finishers were given goody bags containing a Christmas pudding, coaster, chocolate bars, pens and a banana.

Kate Christian said: "We had 19 complete beginners join us in September, some who couldn't run to the next lamppost, and six of those completed the 10-mile course. A few were quite emotional when they passed the finish line.

"Most of the rest ran the five-mile event. It was a fantastic achievement for all of them. They would never have believed a few weeks ago that they could run that distance. That's what being in a club does for you."

The youngest runner was 16 and the eldest in his 70s.

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