Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, opened the Kinver Rotary Club 10k race, on Saturday.
The race was in aid of Kinver Rotary Club’s chosen charity, Action Heart, a Cardiac Rehabilitation programme in Dudley, which was founded in 1978, and is one of the longest running in the UK. This year’s event is on course to raise about £4000 for the Action Heart Charity based at Russell’s Hall Hospital.
Around 260 runners signed up to the race around the village, which began at Potters Cross and finished on Edgecliff School’s playing fields. The race is regarded by many experienced runners as one of the most challenging in the West Midlands.
Gavin was welcomed by John Gillett, the 10k Race Director, before Gavin said a few words and started the race.
A 2k Fun Run took place immediately after the finish of the 10k race, after which, Gavin presented prizes to the fastest runners.
Gavin said: “I had a wonderful time at the Kinver Rotary Club 10K Road Race this weekend. I am full of admiration for all the runners who took part to help raise money for this very worthy cause.
“I would also like to thank all the people who worked so hard to organise the event. You could tell how much effort had gone into organising this day and making it a fantastic success.”
Organiser of the event John Gillett said: “The race was another resounding success within The Rotary Club of Kinver’s calendar of events and the continuing efforts of the club volunteers has established the event within the Kinver area. I was so pleased overall with the running of the event but promise to make 2015 an even better experience for the runners and their supporters.”
The race was sponsored by sponsor BodyKraft of Pensnett and supported by Dudley Motor Company and Kidderminster asbestos management specialists Safeline.