A NEW date has been chosen for Halesowen’s Black Country Road Run – cementing its place as the region’s premier fundraising occasion.

The popular event, which has become a run-away success, is moving to Sunday July 5 next year, merging it with the recently-founded Black Country Festival.

A record number of 800 competitors pounded the streets in September’s third annual 10k race and 5k fun run and organisers from the town’s Rotary club hope the date move will attract even greater numbers.

Race organiser, Rotarian Alan Bowler said the July date would mean the schools could be more involved and the event could take advantage of the festival’s marketing.

He said: “It will be good for the schools and we think they will like the challenge of competing between each other.

“It’s all about keeping it going and attracting all parts of the community.

“And with the Black Country Festival being over the month of July we can tap into their advertising - it just seemed the right thing to do.

“This will be the biggest event and will kick off the festival ahead of Black Country Day on July 14.”

Mr Bowler added: “There is no other event like this for bringing people into the town and has put Halesowen on the map.”

The earlier date will also make it easier for organisers from the Halesowen and Rowley Regis Rotary Club and race director Maurice Endicott , from the Halesowen Cycling and Athletics Club, as it will not interfere with the holiday season.

This year’s third annual road run is expected to also raise a record amount of money for a host of charities, beating the £20,000 raised in 2013.

Organisations such as Halas Homes, Sunfield School at Clent and Barnardo’s entered teams of sponsored runners to boost their fundraising pots.

Competitors can raise money for their own charities or donate their sponsorship money to the Rotary Club which supports a variety of good causes.

The closing date for handing in sponsorship money from September’s event is November 30 and competitors can let Rotary know how much they raise for their chosen charities by using Virgin Giving Money to collect their sponsorship.

Registration for next year opens online on January 1 at www.theblackcountryrun.com