A KINGSWINFORD banker coined in the most sponsorship money in the Black Country Road Run, earning himself a hair-raising Mercedes Benz off-road challenge.

Mitchell Hunt, of Earlswood Road, ran his first 10k event for Sunfield School, Clent, raising £760 with matching funding from Barclays making a total of £1,580.

The 26-year-old was one of 46 runners who raised a total of £6,000 for learning equipment for the special school, which caters for children with complex needs including autism.

Mr Hunt, who takes care of Sunfield’s banking as a relationship support manager, said: “I started training three months before but had not done the distance until the race.

“It was actually easier than expected because of all the people watching. When I came through the town centre for the second time at about 9k, wanting to give up, the crowds gave me the boost I needed to finish.”

Road race sponsors Mercedes Benz presented Mr Hunt with his 4x4 challenge worth £150 at the company’s Stourbridge showroom on last week.

Sales manager Kevin Walton said the off-road course at Mercedes World, Brooklands, features several driving challenges including the “oblivion” vertical drop – which demonstrates the ML model’s downhill speed regulator.

Mr Hunt, who plans to run again in this year’s event, said he was looking forward to taking the wheel of the £50,000 luxury vehicle – although he will be accompanied by an expert Mercedes driver, ensuring he is in safe hands.

Last September’s 10k road race and 5K fun run organised by the Halesowen and Rowley Regis Rotary Club was the biggest yet, attracting 800 entrants who raised more than £23,000 for various charities.

Race organiser Alan Bowler thanked Mercedes Benz for their continued support of the event, now in its fourth year, which will be held on Sunday July 5.