ATHLETES from Dudley Kingswinford Running Club were amongst the prizes at the weekend as a group made the short journey towards Bewdley to take part in the Wyre Forest Half Marathon.

With the race taking place on fire tracks and forest paths over the undulating terrain of the Wyre Forest the 13.1-mile course was a real test of both strength and stamina, particularly with its uphill finish and recent rainfall turning the underfoot conditions muddy adding further difficulties to an already difficult course.

Dave Norman continued his return to form finishing in 12th place in 1.33.47, Mark Homer came home in 1.38.22 to take 23rd place and claim 1st MV55, Helen Tromans bagged a PB over the course of more than three minutes taking 32nd place in 1.41.44 and claiming the third lady prize, less than 30 seconds behind second place.

Graham Wildgoose was 88th in 1.52.45, Andy Morrison was 114th in 1.58.33, Andy Weaver was 126th in 2.00.30, Karen Doy finished in 2.06.04 to take 152nd place, Lyn Sprague was not too far behind in 2.06.50 in 157th, Russell Fox was 174th in 2.10.47 and Liz Hettle was 229th in 2.23.48.

Elsewhere, a small group travelled to Bromsgrove to take part in the Timberhonger 10k, a race on the roads around the village that ends with an uphill stretch.

Gary Bonner was first home for the hoops taking 37th place in 42.13, Dave Hickman was 92nd in 47.41, John Andrews was 149th in 50.28 and Jacqui Elson-Whittaker was 171st in 51.54.