IT was a good weekend for athletes from Dudley Kingswinford Running Club as they found themselves amongst the medals in the Midland Masters Cross Country Championships at Wolverhampton and Bilston’s Aldersley Stadium.

In an event restricted to runners over 35 years of age you’d expect the pace to be slower and the event to be less competitive than the normal bread and butter of the Birmingham League, but that was certainly not the case in a race full of quality at the sharp end with some top class runners looking to claim regional titles in their age groups.

The 8k race was won by Mark Couldwell of Charnwood AC in 24.44 from Scott Hazel of Coventry Godiva in 24.55 and Stuart Hawkes of Amazing Feet in 25.14.

James Wright was first back for the blue hoops in 28th place in 29.57, placing fifth in the M35 category.

Gary Bonner was 31st in 30.22 and fifth M50, Dave Norman was 35th in 31.09 and ninth in the M40, Graham Wildgoose was 45th in 33.27 an ninth M45 and John Andrews was 47th in 36.14 and 11th M40. It was enough for the club to claim a team bronze medal behind winners Coventry Godiva and runners up Charnwood AC.