ORGANISERS of the Dudley Trail say this year’s event proved another resounding success.

The event, which started and finished at Dudley Leisure Centre on Sunday May 1, saw hundreds of walkers of all ages and abilities turn out to walk a six, nine, 12, 20 or 28 mile route around the borough – taking in some of Dudley’s sites of interest and hidden beauty spots such as the bluebell carpeted Saltwells Nature Reserve in Netherton.

Alan Lunt, strategic director for place directorate at Dudley Council, said: “The Dudley Trail has once again proven to be a really popular event in the borough’s calendar.

“We are delighted that hundreds of people turned out to mark the 36th anniversary of this event.

“This year we revamped some of the routes, which spanned from six to 28 miles, to make sure people of all ages and abilities had lots to see across our wonderful borough.”

Dudley News:

This year’s event – the 36th annual trail – was organised in association with Action Heart and supported by Let’s Get Active and sponsors K2 Security – and all those taking part walked away with a certificate of achievement.

Dudley’s dynamic mayor, Councillor Steve Waltho, was among the 1,311 people taking part. He completed the nine-mile walk – just a week after completing the London Marathon.

Walkers taking part were invited to get sponsored and raise funds for Dudley’s Action Heart charity.

Entrants were also invited to pay £1 extra to benefit the Mayor of Dudley’s chosen charities – The Hope Centre in Halesowen, Stourbridge’s What? Centre, Brierley Hill based More Mascots Please, The Georgina Unit at Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, and the West Midlands branch of Lupus UK, based in Coseley.