HUNDREDS of runners from across the region gathered to take part in the annual 10-mile Stourbridge Stagger.

A field of 395 set off from Mary Steven’s Park for the popular race hosted by Stourbridge Running Club.

More than 24 hours of constant rainfall prior to the start of Sunday’s event ensured that conditions would be testing.

And it was a stagger for some, as the race, starting in Mary Steven’s Park and heading out towards Churchill over a combination of muddy paths, meant runners found themselves splashing through puddles and trying to stay upright on mud slicked tracks, before gratefully hitting a brief spell of tarmac around halfway.

If the underfoot conditions weren’t tough enough, the cold and blustery weather only added to the difficulty, making this one of the toughest renewals of the race.

First over the line was Matthew Harrold, with the Warley Woods Pacer coming home in a time of 1.04.22. Neil O’Hanlon of Shrewsbury AC was second in 1.07.19, followed by Nigel Gaskin in third place in 1.07.40.

In the ladies race, Daisy Wilson, running for BRAT, claimed victory in 1.16.51 from Trentham’s Deborah Thomas, who placed second in 1.17.51 and Tracie Truman of Lawley RC taking third place in 1.19.36.

The host club had few running, with many taking up marshalling duties, Kelvin Haliday placing 348th in 2.01.21 over 10 miles and Rebecca Murray finishing 71st in 54.04 and Louisa Palmer a place behind in 54.24, but greater credit must go to the marshals and in particular the organisers who amended the usual start of the race to ensure it went ahead despite building work in the park.

The race did see a host of competitors from Dudley Kingswinford Running Club in action.

James Wright was first home for the blue hoops in 22nd place in 1.14.08, however things could have been so different as Wright was in the lead from the start and had opened up a sizeable gap before succumbing to injury, a recurring shin problem forcing him to slow up and drop back through the field.

Dave Norman was second home in 42nd place in 1.17.09, Mick Quane was 50th in 1.18.14, Mark Homer was 65th in 1.21.18, just holding off Mark Gallimore a place behind in 1.21.26.

Helen Tromans was 103rd and second in her age group in 1.26.02, Paul Silk placed 127th in 1.28.29 with Tracey Alderson in 130th in 1.29.25.

Graham Wildgoose finished in 1.35.27 to take 171st, Carol Fisher was 193rd in 1.37.49, Dave Hickman was 201st in 1.38.46, Sally McConville was 248th in 1.43.29, Karen Doy came home in 1.46.11 for 271st and Kathryn Sneyd was 304th in 1.50.05, In the separate women’s race over 7k, first place went to Annabel Roberts in 31.59 claiming victory by more than a minute but there was a close battle for the runners up spot with Amy Wakeley of Telford AC just holding off Amelia Silk taking second in 33.05 and third in 33.09 respectively.

Lyn Sprague was first and only DK lady home in 10th place in 38.10.

Elsewhere for DK, Andy Sprague took part in the Long Mynd Valleys race over 18 of Shropshire’s hilliest miles to come home in 67th place in 2.21.40.