OVER SEVENTY runners shook off any New Year’s Eve hangovers when Dudley Kingswinford (DK) Running Club hosted its annual New Year’s Day Handicap Race on Wednesday (1st January).
Starting and finishing at the club’s Swindon Road base, home of Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club, 78 runners took part in the four-mile run.
The competitors set off in five different waves, starting at 11am, depending on each runner’s fastest 5k finish time.
The Hoops were well represented with 32 DK members competing while Dudley and Stourbridge Harriers Athletic Club, The Yellow Army and Tipton Harriers also provided strong contingents.
The fastest male finisher was Tom Bentley of Tipton Harriers in 22 minutes 47 seconds while Jade Charlton, also of Tipton Harriers, was the fastest female finisher in 27 minutes 21 seconds.
First male back for DK was Mark Garrett in 26 minutes 42 seconds with Paula Alder the fastest female Hoop, finishing in 32 minutes 52 seconds.
Two DK athletes won cash prizes for finishing closest to their estimated times: Leanne Fogarty who was just four seconds off her estimated finish time and Dirk Baynham who was twelve seconds away from his estimated finish time.
A successful start to the running New Year for DK was made possible by 25 club members who volunteered as race marshals, time-keepers, cake stall holders, photographers and other vital tasks.
On Sunday (5th January) DK members Adam Crowle and Leanne Fogarty took part in the Bodenham Bound 10k in the grounds of Bodenham Arboretum near Kidderminster.
Report submitted by DK Running Club
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