Runners brave cold weather and hit the streets to take on challenging 10K run around Wolverhampton

The RunThrough Wolverhampton 10K saw thousands of runners of all abilities take in a route heading out of Wolverhampton and go on an undulating route around the outskirts of the city on Sunday morning.

Despite cold and windy weather, the runners, which varied from established athletes and local legends like Manny Singh Kang to fun runners, gathered outside Molineux Stadium, the start and finish point, to get their race numbers and warm up before the event.

The scene on the Stan Cullis stand car park, which doubled as the race village, was one full of happy chatter as friends and family gathered together to talk about the event and get ready for the start.

There were a few issues with registration, with some people reporting having to write their numbers down on pieces of paper without the timing chip and being asked to record their own times, and long lines being visible before the run started.

However, while the run started off about 15 minutes later than planned, there was still a positive feeling in the air among those taking part, with the event taking in a sizeable loop around the outskirts of the city and supporters encouraged to cheer on the runners along the route.

A large number were also taking the opportunity to raise vital funds for Compton Care, which was once again been named the charity partner for the event, and a stall was set up in the race village to meet supporters and tell them about the charity.

Among the groups and companies running in support of Compton Care was Bolt and Nut Manufacturing from Bilston, with several members of the team wearing the old gold and black tops, including Lee Marsh, who said it was vital to support charities like Compton.

He said: “They do a massive amount for the local community and it’s just nice to be able to give something back.

“We’ve been supporting each other a lot for this, from the WhatsApp group to just talking about it, and it’s been really good and got us all back into running.

“I’m surprised how many people there are here today, but it’s great and we’re all looking forward to it.”

There were also plenty of runners taking part in fancy dress, including Mark Sinclair from Dudley, who was wearing his familiar Prince costume, and Teresa Gibbs, who donned a Wonder Woman costume alongside her son-in-law Cameron Wilson.

Both were excited about the event and spoke about their reasons for taking part and the causes they were supporting.

Mark said: “I’ve been doing Prince for the last three or four years now and people don’t actually recognise me as Mark now as I do all these runs and events as Prince on a Purple Run tour.

“I’m doing it for Prostate Cancer as well, raising awareness and money for the charity, and it was only midweek that I thought I’d do this event again because they’re nice and friendly people and I find the events to be really well organised.

“The support is great and the people really keep you going when you’re out there and I just want to get around and have fun and enjoy myself.”

Teresa said: “I’m running because of Slimming World as I’ve lost eight-and-a-half stone since I joined it in 2023, which meant no more high blood pressure tablets and my asthma’s gotten better, so so many benefits from it.

“These events are great because of being part of an active lifestyle, moving more and sitting less.

“This is the third one I’ve done in the last three years and I’ve encouraged the son-in-law to do it this time, plus my brother’s doing it and my husband and brother-in-law, so it’s just a big family event.”

Compton Care was the principle charity part of the event and Community and Events Fundraiser Sally Woods said it was an event which meant so much to the charity.

She said: “It means an awful lot to Compton because it’s great awareness of Compton Care throughout the city due to the amount of people running in branded tops and it’s great that people who’ve used our services now want to do something to support us.

“It’s lovely to see the goodwill of people and the gratitude they have for the services Compton offers and for the great name we have for the services we provide.

“It’s also amazing as it’s cold and the clocks have gone forward, so great admiration for everyone that’s running it and I hope everyone enjoys the race.

“Being charity partner works really well for us as we have a great relationship with the event organisers and I hope that continues for many years to come.”