THERE were opportunities right on the doorstep for athletes from Dudley Kingswinford Running Club at the weekend with huge numbers travelling the short distance to Baggeridge Country Park for the Suicide 6.

A colourfully named race organised by Action Heart, the cardiac charity based at Russell’s Hall Hospital, over a six mile course around Baggeridge down into Himley Park and back again taking in some of the most testing features of both venues.

Within a mile of the start the course took competitors over the trig point, a brutally thigh shredding climb, before a stretch along the clay road sapping any remaining strength from already ruined legs.

Added to this another steep climb across a ridge behind Himley Hall and a waist deep water crossing to negotiate before climbing one hundred and eleven steps before crossing the line, some in a heap.

Stuart Perkins was first home for the blue hoops in 40.43 taking 10th place, Dave Norman finished in 23rd in 42.57 chased over the line by Simon Hughes in 25th in 43.07, Gary Bonner was 29th in 43.34, Mick Quane was 47th in 44.28, Mark Homer was 53rd in 45.01, Stephen Parr was 86th in 47.24, Sergej Lyubovnikov was 96th in 48.22 and Darren Marklew finished in 102nd in 48.41.

Andy Weaver came home in 49.47, Richard Tonks in 50.10, Rory Campbell in 51.26, John Sixsmith in 51.34, John Andrews in 53.06, Andy Morrison in 53.20, Karen Doy in 57.10, Malcolm Beddall in 1.00.57, Jane Campbell in 1.01.47, Lisa Kendrick in 1.02.25, Jan Burbie in 1.06.49, Tony Noke in 1.06.51, Amanda Hunt, Tracy Jones and Gina Collins all finished together in 1.10.28, Preston Grundy crossed the line in 1.12.34 and Chris Wood finished in 1.12.40.