STOURBRIDGE residents are urged to get into gear and take part in next month's Black Country Road Run.

Stourbridge Mercedes-Benz and Mary Stevens Hospice charity are both calling on people to get involved with this year’s Black Country Road Run which takes place in Halesowen on Sunday, July 5.

Mercedes-Benz of Stourbridge is one of the main sponsors of the run which this year is part of the Black Country Festival which is supported by Dudley Council and will be taking place throughout July.

The sponsor will be offering a 4 x 4 driving experience to the runner who collects the most money for their chosen charity.

Alan Bowler, event director, said: “The run is probably the closest of its kind to Stourbridge so we hope lots of people, of all abilities, will make the short journey to take part in the run.

"Mercedes-Benz of Stourbridge have sponsored the event again this year which we are very grateful for, while runners each year help to raise thousands of pounds for local charities.”

Representatives from Mary Stevens Hospice are committed to taking part in the run and want runners to consider choosing the Hagley Road hospice as their chosen charity.

Lucy Baylis, community fundraiser at Mary Stevens Hospice, said: “We have a few of the staff lined up to take part in this year’s run and we hope to be joined by plenty of other local people. The more money we can raise the better as it all goes to helping us continue to provide specialist care for people living with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.”

Steve Edwards, chairman of the Black Country Festival community group, said: “We’re delighted the hugely successful run has been brought forward to become an official part of the Black Country Festival. We’re very confident that this involvement will boost numbers at the run and help raise even more money for charity.”

Runners can take on the main 10K course or the 5K fun run.

To sign up visit www.theblackcountryrun.com