Charity runners out in force

Nearly 300 runners from across the Midlands turned out for a gruelling six-mile run around the narrow country lanes of Kinver to raise cash for charity.

Competitors gathered on playing fields in Potters Cross at 9am yesterday for the annual Kinver Road Race cheered on by family and friends.

The course started in Enville Road taking competitors along the Sheepwalks and to roads near Pigeonhouse Farm and White Hill Farm before finishing at the playing fields.

All cash raised from the event will be donated to Action Heart.

This year's winner was 26-year-old Ian Mansell, formerly of Dudley Road, Wall Heath, who completed the course in just over 35 minutes.

The maths teacher now lives in Nuneaton but still runs for Dudley-Kingswinford Running Club.

But it was not a smooth run for the competitor who encountered a few difficulties on the way.

"There was a van in my way during one part of the run which I had to slow down to squeeze past.

"I thought I'd lost the first place at that point but I just kept on running.

"I am really pleased to have come first. It was a great race and I really enjoyed it."

Mr Mansell, who has been running since 1995, said he trains throughout the week usually clocking up around 60 miles.

Second was Matt Raden, a 34-year-old student from Hyde Park Avenue, Wollaston, and 35-year-old construction worker Mark Garratt, from Church Street, Pensnett, took third place.

For Sally Folkes, of Prior Close, Kidderminster, it was only her second six-mile race after taking up running a few months ago.

"I have been really nervous coming into the event but was looking forward to it at the same time," she said.

"It is for a really good cause and it is wonderful to see so many people have turned out for the event."

Other groups taking part included the unofficial Black Dog racing club along with many individual runners.

Mike Deathridge, spokesman for Kinver Rotary Club, who organise the event, said it had been a wonderful success.

"This is only the second year the event has been held. Last year we had around 210 runners and this year it has been 300," he said.