Runners face blustery weather for Cobra Classic - in photos

In fact, the conditions were so blustery for Sunday's annual Cobra Classic in Halesowen that the wind threatened to blow away the finish line.

Organisers had to grapple with the inflatable arch - which marked the end of the race - to keep it in place before finally having to admit defeat and take it down.

Competitors were oblivious to the comical capers taking place at Old Halesonians Rugby Club in Halesowen where the race started and finished.

The runners headed out on a scenic circular route towards Hagley and Stourbridge taking in Wassell Grove, while less experienced and some younger entrants opted for the 3.5k route.

The race was organised by the Cobra Running Club, which meets at Halesowen Leisure Centre. Its retiring chairman Chris Pearson said: "It was very windy on the day which did affect the runners, especially on the last half of the route which is quite hilly.

"Back at the finish line we'd got a big inflatable arch which almost blew away.

"It took eight people to try and hold it down and in the end we just had to collapse it. But it was a great day."

Winner of the event was Ian Mansell from Nuneaton Running Club.

The field also featured strong turn-outs from Stourbridge Running Club and the DKs from Dudley and Kingswinford as well as members of the Cobra club.

Among the Cobra runners were nine women who took up the sport only earlier this year and were running their first 10k.

Mr Pearson, 68, who has handed on the chairmanship to Sally Cockcroft, said running was more popular than ever with many people inspired by Park Run events.

On Saturday around 300 people took part in park runs at Walsall, with a further 200 at Dudley and another 200 at Wolverhampton.

The Cobra Classic raised at least £500 for Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge.