ATHLETES from Dudley Kingswinford Running Club made their annual pilgrimage to Mid Wales for the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon at the weekend.

The 13.1 mile route take competitors of a lap of the lake and is renowned for being a fast, flat, potential personal best course.

Darran Bishop was first home for the hoops in 96th place in 1.26.29, Mark Gatenby finished in 119th in 1.28.21, Helen Tromans claimed 2nd place in her age group and 174th overall in 1.33.05, Kevin Herbert was 287th in 1.39.32, Rory Campbell was 513th in 1.48.53, Malcom Beddall was 596th in 1.53.17 with Tim Rowe and Sid Marsh finishing a second adrift.

Jane Campbell finished in 1.59.10, Paula Pallant was 945th and Karen Flint was 946th both in 2.10.49, Ingrid Cain and Jane Somerville both came home in 2.13.24, Clare Ancox was a few seconds behind in 2.14.47 and Aimee Pugh finished in 2.15.44.

There were also a couple of good times from athletes from Dudley and Stourbridge Harriers, with Darrell Bodin crossing the line in 1.26.55 in 103rd and Mark Judge finishing in 227th place in 1.36.57.

Further north, a group also took part over the half marathon distance in the iconic Great North Run, covering a point to point course from Newcastle, over the Tyne Bridge, and finishing on the sea front in South Shields.

John Sixsmith was first home in 8861st in 2.01.11, Farrah Hunter Coley was 31846th in 2.42.19, Lisa Holmes was 36149th in 2.53.52 with Deb Rochelle finishing in the same time one position behind. Lisa Avery was 36152nd in 2.53.52 and Deb Houston finished in 3.23.59 in 41713th place.