Arctic conditions for Hell In The Middle

More than 1,000 people from across the country braved Arctic conditions to take part in an 11- mile run through frozen lakes and over hills on Cannock Chase.

Hell In The Middle, a gruelling cross country trek, attracted 1,105 competitors looking for an extreme challenge.

See more pictures by clicking on the image on the right.

This is the second time the event has come to Cannock Chase, but the organisers say it is impossible to say if anyone broke existing records as the course had changed from last year.

Part of it involves running through a frozen lake, and the organisers had to break the ice on the morning of the run, so entrants were able to get through the water.

Many of the people taking part finished the race with bleeding knees and shins, where they scratched their legs on the ice. This did nothing to dampen people's spirits, though.

Eddie Goodwin, aged 39 from Cannock, said: "It was very cold and very sharp, but, fair play to the organisers, and everyone involved in the event because it's all run really smoothly."

The event forms part of the "HellRunner Trilogy." There is a Hell Up North event held in Cheshire, and a Hell Down South event in Hampshire. The fastest male was Paul Vernon, who finished in one hour, three minutes and 34 seconds. Angela Armstrong was the fastest woman in one hour, 20 minutes and 12 seconds.