THE Black Country’s first ever ‘Ultra’ Dirt Run is coming to Dudley.

Starting and finishing at Himley Hall, the 32-mile run – featuring a 2.7km stretch in complete darkness through Netherton Tunnel – will also raise money for Stourbridge’s Mary Stevens Hospice.

The event is broken up into four legs of eight miles, with entrants being able to run as either a team of four, in a pair, or as a solo runner.

Runners will be taken on a scenic tour of the Black Country, heading out from Himley to Wombourne, Lower Penn, Wolverhampton, Coseley, Tipton, Netherton, Merry Hill, Brockmoor, Pensnett, Baggeridge and back to Himley for the race finish.

The third leg offers a unique twist on the traditional dirt run, as it will mostly comprise the total darkness of Netherton Tunnel, requiring runners to wear head torches throughout this section of the race.

There are a number of checkpoints throughout the course, where people will be on hand to offer water, energy drinks, cake and first aid assistance.

The Ultra run is the brainchild of Pulse Pursuits, who began organising outdoor activities in across the West Midlands, with a particular focus on ensuring their events took place in particularly famous and idyllic places.

Roger Cook, director at Pulse Pursuits, said: "Historically, we've mainly done 10k dirt run events and a lot of our runners were asking about the possibility of a longer-distance event.

“Obviously, mapping out a long-distance event away from the roads can be quite difficult, unless of course you're not a million miles away from a fantastic canal network. So with a bit of thinking the Ultra Run was born.”

Roger said his organisation is keen to support charities through their events, and a percentage of everything they make at the Ultra Dirt Run will be donated to Mary Stevens Hospice.

He added: “We wanted to support Mary Stevens Hospice as the tremendous work they do in providing palliative, respite or end of life care covers the area we are running around and does a huge amount for the local community.

“Whether our runners run the whole distance or as part of a team, we are confident they'll have a bostin’ time and for a worthy cause too.”

Laura Millard, community engagement officer for Mary Stevens Hospice, said: “An event like this has the opportunity to bring people in from across the country to take part, and having worked with Pulse Pursuits throughout the last year or so, we know that the runners will be in incredibly capable hands throughout this mammoth challenge.

“We've already had a few people get in touch to let us know they’re doing the full 32-miles as a solo runner, and we think that’s just phenomenal.

“We’re so grateful to everyone taking part and to the guys at Pulse for their continued support. It’s a really exciting thing to be a part of.”

For more information about to event, or to enter, visit www.pulsepursuits.co.uk/events/dirtrun-ultra-in-the-black-country