DUDLEY Kingswinford Running Club held its annual Gavin Tipper 5k race last week to commemorate a stalwart of both the rugby and running club.

Gavin was a player at DK for many years and is still the only DK player to score a try at Twickenham, later going on to become a member of the running section and also heavily involved in coaching at Tipton Harriers, Black Country Triathletes and Halesowen Cycling Club before his untimely death.

As a fitting memorial the club have held a race in his memory since 2008 linking this with Action Heart, the cardiac rehabilitation programme at Russell’s Hall Hospital.

This year the race was run in association with Kewford Eagles and making use of their new facilities. The course was similar to a European Cross Country race run on a rolling course with runners racing on virgin turf.

A field of 218 took on the run on Wednesday, June 11.

At the sharp end, it was fitting that Tipton Harriers, one of Gavin’s many clubs, took the first three places with Luke Vine claiming victory in 15.34 from Steve Abrahams in 15.43 and Jacob Anson in 16.17.

The first DK runner home was Ben Foster in fourth place in 16.20, Dave Norman was ninth in 18.10, Paul Richards finished in 18.46 for 13th place and Richard Jones was 18th in 19.37 with many more DK runners pulling on the blue hoops in support.

Tipton Harriers were also at the fore in the women's race with Rosa Lewis taking first place in 18.55 from Eve Mulvaney in 18.59 and Bethany Walker in 19.56. Helen Tromans was first DK lady in 29th overall in 20.34 claiming first place in her age group.