Hundreds of people headed to the South Staffordshire countryside for the annual Bells of Pattingham run in aid of good causes. Around 790 people finished the race.

The event has been one of the most popular events on the village’s calendar for 21 years. The seven-mile off-road race snaked through undulating fields near the village yesterday.

Train driver David Evans crossed the line first, in 40 minutes and 32 seconds. The 38-year-old father of two from Fir Tree Road, Finchfield, will represent England veterans in Dublin next month.

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He said: “It’s a great race and a joy to win.”

Civil servant Tess Parkinson, aged 22, from Hopton Crescent, Wednesfield was the first woman across the line in 50 mins 10 seconds.

The Wolverhampton and Bilston club athlete said: “It was a hard slog because I had run the previous day in the National Road Relay.”

The event was launched in 1990 to raise money to replace the old wooden bell frame in the belfry of St Chad’s Church in the village. Its popularity has endured, with runners ranging from teenagers to pensioners coming from across the Midlands, Shropshire and Staffordshire to take part.

Among those taking part this year was father-of-two Clive Wycherley, who ran with wife Chris and sons Karl and Hal.

The 54-year-old software engineer from Windsor Road, Pattingham, said: “It is the first time we have run together and it was a lovely family day out.”
Journey

Matthew Watkiss, aged 35, made a 720-mile round trip from Lochgilpheadin Argyll to take part. He said: “It was well worth the journey. I like running and the marvellous rolling countryside of this course was totally different from the hills of Scotland.”

The council worker, who grew up in Penkridge and lived in Wolverhampton before moving north, added: “It was also a great opportunity to see friends and family and watch the Wolves.”

Roger Southall has competed in all 21 of the Pattingham Bells Runs. The 57-year-old father of four from Newgate, Pattingham, who works in risk management, said: “It gets harder every year and each time I finish I swear that I will never do it again.”

All proceeds of the run now go to local charities as well as St Chad’s Church funds. Race Director Tony Ainsworth said: “It was a glorious day and everything ran like clockwork.”