THE clock is ticking down for the Black Country’s biggest outdoor event that will see thousands of runners take to Halesowen streets.

Runner and local hero ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley is once again giving his support to for the seventh annual Black Country Run, which this year takes place on Sunday, July 1.

The event, organised by the Rotary Club of Halesowen and Rowley Regis, will see a variety of club runners and people of all ages taking on the challenges in a bid to help raise much-needed funds for a variety of charities.

Since the event was started in 2012 more than £100,000 has been raised for Black Country and national charities.

Dave has promised to dress up as a leprechaun as he runs in both the popular 10km race, which is set to get underway at 10am, as well as the Family Fun Run starting at 11.30am.

Race organiser and Rotarian Alan Bowler hopes runners will join Dave by taking to the course in fancy dress.

“Dave is a hero to many of us in the Black Country and he’s a great supporter of the race,” Alan said. “People love him. He always gets lots of people wanting to run alongside him and take photos with him.

“He’s running in both races this year, and we hope that children and their parents will join him in the family fun run so we can raise as much money for charity while having fun – because that’s what the day is all about.”

Other runners already signed up for this year include West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris, while Mayor of Dudley and Halesowen councillor Alan Taylor will be handing out the medals at the finish line.

To enter the event, people can register at www.theblackcountryrun.com