Running club still striding out

They all look forward with glee to the annual award of the Sneyd Striders' Comedy Cup.

It is one of around 30 trophies presented each year at the Bloxwich club's summer dinner and worthy recipients in previous years have included Dave "The Lamppost" Lockley, who knocked himself out by running straight into a street column.

Mac Mills, who at 64-years-old is the Sneyd Striders' oldest member, earned the cup after forgetting to pack his passport ahead of a running trip to France while club captain Stan Harrison had his turn when he mistakenly went to the wrong Welsh village – 80 miles out of the way – for an event.

Club chairman Trevor Simms has today opened up his photo album to share snaps of members throughout the group's quarter of a century history.

He said: "It's more than a running club, we're like a family. Over the years we've had members be best man at each other's wedding and godparents to each other's children.

"That atmosphere and friendliness is why I think people tend to stick with us when they join."

The club was founded by six people, including Ian Hill, now aged 63, who is the only original member still active in the group. Members meet at Sneyd Community School in Vernon Way, Bloxwich, on Tuesday and Thursday and a beginners session takes place on Wednesday.

The club hosts the popular Christmas pudding run in December, which attracted almost 1,000 runners last year, and everyone to cross the finish line is given a festive pud.

Day trips are organised for runners and their families and routine runs take the group along the towpaths and pathways of Bloxwich and into neighbouring Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley.

Hill runs on Cannock Chase are also on the calendar and new members are welcome at the club.