KINVER Rotary Club's annual10K race will this year prove more poignant for a major sponsor who has found himself needing the services of the charity the event aims to support.

Bodykraft has sponsored the popular autumn run in aid of Dudley's Action Heart charity for the last five years and this year is no exception.

But for the company's managing director Mike Pugh - the event, taking place on Sunday October 2, will strike a chord even more this time after he suffered a heart attack in January this year and found himself joining the charity's 12-month cardiovascular rehabilitation programme at Russells Hall Hospital in April.

The race, now in its tenth year, has raised more than £30,000 for Action Heart and Mr Pugh, from Kingswinford, hopes this year's event will raise thousands more for the charity which has been helping him on the road to recovery through regular gym sessions.

He said: "It's a very good charity and a very good programme.

"I've never been a gym person - I've always wanted to get out along canals and in the countryside but everybody makes you feel welcome and I enjoy going."

The 60-year-old businessman, who has completed the Kinver 10K a number of times in the past, says he'll be unable to take part in this year's event but he'll certainly be cheering on the entrants and he said: "It's a very tough course - it sorts the men from the boys."

The tough multi-terrain event was moved from Kinver village out to Enville Hall last year but the route still took in the challenging hills known as the Sheepwalks - and this year organisers have decided to rename the gruelling race the Sheepwalks Shocker!

Entries are now being accepted online at www.actionheartrunning.com or www.sheepwalks-shocker.co.uk or runners can call 01384 292233 for an entry form.

Entry costs £13 for club affiliated runners and £15 for non-affiliated entrants.

There will also be a 2K multi-terrain fun run in aid of the Kinver Fitness Collective - with an entry cost of £2 each or £5 per family.

There is a 400-entry limit on the 10K event and organisers hope to see around 100 people to take part in the 2K.