Runners brave rain as city's half marathon returns

The half marathon saw hundreds of people pound the streets of Wolverhampton on Sunday

Runners flooded Wolverhampton on Sunday as the city's half marathon and 10k race returned after a hiatus last year.

Hundreds took part in the events, which started and finished on North Street by the Civic Hall.

The men’s half marathon was won by Omar Ahmed from Birchfield Harriers in a time of 1:09:06 and the women’s half marathon was won by Lorna Hulme of Wolverhampton and Bilston Running Club in 1:30:24.

Alexander Kelly, also from Wolverhampton and Bilston Running Club, came first in the men’s 10k race in 36:58, while Megan Harrold of Halesown Athletics was the first woman to cross the line with a time of 46:44.

“Things went well,” said race organiser Stuart Steele.

“Everybody got home nice and well - lots of people, with a lot of sore legs to go with it."

He added: “The goal was always to bring the event into the city centre to make it something a bit more exciting.

“West Park was nice, but it didn’t really showcase the city.

“When we originally got handed the event, we set a goal of showcasing Wolverhampton, for Wolverhampton to be proud of.”

Responding to criticism from some on social media that the course had too many sharp turns and bends, he said: “Some of it is about getting the right distance, to get it accurate.”

The course for this year's race followed a new route to take in some of the city's most recognisable landmarks

The route also had to find a way around construction work in the city, he added.

“That will all be something the residents can be proud of and enjoy, but it involves a lot of building work.”

He praised the work of marshals, without whom the event could not go ahead.

“We’d like to thank the residents, shopkeepers, council and all the other people who’ve been involved in making it a great success," he said.

The oldest female runner was Mary Solomon, aged 69, and the oldest male runner was Roger Beddard, aged 74.

The youngest competitors were 17.

Entries for next year’s event are now open.