ATHLETES from Dudley Kingswinford Running Club got into the Olympic spirit last Friday with an evening of track racing, but unlike the exotic surroundings of Rio they ploughed their circular furrow at The Dell stadium in Brierley Hill as the club hosted their Magic Mile event.

The evening involved a number of races over a mile with all competitors asked for their previous times so they could be seeded and allocated a start time to ensure they were racing against others of a similar ability, making for an entertaining and very competitive night.

With the event open to runners from Sweatshop Running Community and a few invited guests, as well as the host club, more than 130 athletes pinned a number to their vest on an evening where races came thick and fast at 15-minute intervals.

DK’s Helen Tromans was the fastest female on the night, winning her heat by a considerable distance to clock a time of 6.12, from the SRC duo of Lauren Sanders in 6.47 – good enough an age group prize – and Louise Sanders in 6.50. Catherine Mayall of SRC won the F35 prize in 7.05.

The men’s event was a little more competitive but again the winner was in little doubt as Sam Lloyd-Perks took away the trophy. Running for Sweatshop, the Wolves & Bilston athlete clocked a lightning fast time of 4.55 for victory from runner-up Alex Sobierski who claimed the fastest M35 prize with a time of 5.01. Stuart Perkins was third in 5.09 and Dave Norman fourth, bagging first M45 prize in 5.21.