Hundreds pulled on their trainers to take part in an annual charity run in South Staffordshire. Runners made the most of warm weather yesterday to help make the annual Pattingham Bells event a success. The run covers seven miles.

It starts and finishes in Pattingham in South Staffordshire  and features a multi-terrain course, under UK Athletics rules. A Junior Bells Run for those aged 11 to 17 also took place this year.

Over 600 people took part, with Ross Jones, from the Tipton Harriers, crossing the line first in 37 minutes 30 seconds. Dave Mansbridge from Telford Harriers was second in 40 minutes 50 seconds and Andrew Sprague, from Dudley Kingswinford running club, crossing the line in third in 41 minutes 10 seconds.

The first lady to finish was Tess Parkinson, from Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club, who finished in 47 minutes 17 seconds. The oldest competitor was 88-year-old Hugh Turner, from Nottingham, who finished in one hour, 21 minutes.

Graham Tritton, one of the organisers, said: “It was a fantastic event and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone on the day.”

The first run, back in 1990, was organised to raise money to replace the old wooden bell frame in the belfry of St. Chad’s church in Pattingham. Because of its popularity, the run has continued over the years and is now a respected event in the running world.

See more pictures in November’s Wolverhampton Magazine.