AFTER racing against the clock for most of the year a couple of athletes from Dudley Kingswinford Running Club pitted themselves against something a little different by taking part in the annual Race The Train event in Wales.

The race challenges runners to beat the steam locomotive from the Talyllyn Railway over a tough 14-mile course. It starts with a toot of the train whistle as runners head off through the town.

Of the two club members taking part, Dave Norman was suitably “chuffed”, finishing strongly to come home in 1.44.05 to take 85th place but more importantly ahead of the train. Mark Homer, who was flying and on track to beat the train, unfortunately went flying, a nasty fall meant he ran out of steam but still did well in the circumstances to finish finished in 1.52.03.