A RECORD number of participants turned out at Enville Hall for Kinver Rotary Club’s annual 10km race.

Rebranded this year as the Sheepwalks Shocker, a total of 313 runners took part in the main event while another 252 entered the 2km family fun run.

Previously known as the Two Villages 10K, the event – sponsored by Bodykraft from Kingswinford’s Pensnett Trading Estate – has been organised by the Rotary Club of Kinver in aid of Dudley-based charity Action Heart for the last nine years.

Originally the race started and finished in the village but last year, it was switched to the spectacular surroundings of Enville Hall, which proved highly popular.

Although the venue has been altered, the route still includes a daunting climb up some challenging hills known as the Sheepwalks, from which organisers have opted to rename the race.

Race secretary Andy Sheppard thought the event went better than expected. He said: “It was a really good day and obviously the sun helped.

“We had record entry levels in both races, 313 people ran in the 10k, which is the most we’ve ever had for that event, and we also had the highest number of entries into our 2k family fun run.

“Jason Willets, the local headteacher at both Brindley Heath Junior and Foley Infant School, did the run and he got lots of the children at the schools involved as well, as it's a great way for them to get exercise.

“Overall, it was a great event which raised money for two very worthwhile local charities.”

Now in its 10th year, the 10km race has raised more than £30,000 for Action Heart during that period, with this year’s 2km fun run event also raising funds for Kinver Fitness Collective.

Andy added: “The costs of hosting the event are all covered, which means that every penny we take in from the entry fee can be donated to the two charities.

“We don’t know the final tally yet, but it will definitely be way over £5,000, which is brilliant.”

Each participant came away from the event with a special medal, designed by eight-year-old Brindley Heath Junior School pupil Bethany Cooksey.

The youngster, of Enville Road, created the Sheepwalks Shocker logo which was used on the medals, as well as all publicity material for the run.