Commonwealth Games double gold medalist Jodie Stimpson takes Christmas Pudding in her stride

The 25-year-old, who took two gold medals in this year's Commonwealth Games, was guest-of-honour at the club's annual Christmas Pudding run in Willenhall.

Jodie, from Oldbury, put on a dazzling display, romping home well ahead of the rest of the 500-strong field.

Runners, some of them beginners, were thrilled to be competing in the same event as the champion who has recently returned from a training stint in Kenya and is aiming to make GB's 2016 Olympics squad.

The club's cross-country captain Kate Christian said: "It was fantastic for them and all of us to have Jodie there.

"She's a local girl and supports us whenever she can. It was good of her to come, given her busy training schedule."

The event was a chance for less serious runners to get dressed up in Christmas costumes and have a bit of fun.

The route was awash with red-suited Santas, elves and, taking the name of the race to heart, even a Christmas pudding. One of the marshals, Ian Maullin, dressed upas a penguin.

Vernon Way in Bloxwich was closed between Sneyd Lane and Crab Lane to allow runners to take part safely in the two-lap course. They chose between five and 10-mile distances.

All finishers were given goody bags containing a Christmas pudding, coaster, chocolate bars, pens and a banana.

Kate Christian said: "We had 19 complete beginners join us in September, some who couldn't run to the next lamppost, and six of those completed the 10-mile course. A few were quite emotional when they passed the finish line.

"Most of the rest ran the five-mile event. It was a fantastic achievement for all of them. They would never have believed a few weeks ago that they could run that distance. That's what being in a club does for you."

The youngest runner was 16 and the eldest in his 70s.