DUDLEY Kingswinford Running Club member Ben Foster bagged a narrow success in the Black Country 10k race in Halesowen last Sunday.

Foster powered to the line to pip Halesowen Athletics Club runner Richard White to the victory.

Approaching the line Foster was trailing in second but was rapidly closing on leader White. When White raised his arms in premature celebration Foster bust past to steal the win in the shadow of the line by a single second with a winning time of 34.21.

Fellow DK runner Rob Meredith claimed third place in 36.01 and Helen Tromans was thrid in the women’s race in 44.41.

In addition James Wright was ninth in 37.55, Darran Bishop 13th in 39.06, Mark Judge was 37th in 42.43, Richard Tonks was 47th in 43.27, Andy Morrison was 107th in 48.20 and Jacqui Elson-Whittaker was 134th in 50.17.

Foster's dramatic success proved to be a highlight in a busy week for the club.

It started last Wednesday night at Ironbridge for the fourth race of Telford ACs Sexarathon Series over a fraction over four miles.

Foster got his entry fee back taking sixth place in 23.07, James Wright was 24th in 25.35, Darran Bishop claimed 34th place in 26.20, Simon Hughes proved his performance in the last race was no fluke taking 55th place in 27.31 from Dave Norman a place behind in 27.47.

Gary Bonner was 57th in 27.55, Lorna Hulme was 63rd in 28.12 but claimed the sixth ladies prize, Richard Tonks was 70th in 28.59, Graham Wildgoose was 71st in 29.02, Mark Judge was 78th in 29.21, Helen Tromans claimed first in her age group in 97th place in 30.40, Darren Beattie was a place adrift on 30.42, Mark Gatenby was 108th in 31.06, John Sixsmith was 122nd in 32.05, John Andrews was 137th in 33.08, Andy Morrison was 146th in 33.58, Paul Rowlands was 183rd in 36.50, Preston Grundy finished in 38.43 in 202nd place and Lisa Hadlington finished in 42.46 in 234th.

Meanwhile, Andy Sprague claimed 17th place and third in his age group finishing the Eastridge Trail Half Marathon in 1.40.59.

A number of hoops turned out on Saturday over the same distance for the Birmingham Black Country Half Marathon, a point-to-point race from Wolverhampton to Birmingham along the canal towpath. Simon Blizzard was first home in 115th in 1.42.41, Darren Marklew was 203rd in 1.49.31, Darren Beattie was 230th in 1.51.15, Roger Beddard was 438th in 2.04.23 and Narinda Hughes was 555th in 2.12.37.