GALLERY: Bloxwich filled with fancy dress for Christmas Pudding Run

From Santa's elves to charity champions and professional athletes, an eclectic mix of runners took part in the annual race organised by Sneyd Striders Running Club.

And among the more than 600 runners were West Bromwich fundraising legend Blind Dave Heeley and Oldbury athlete Jodie Stimpson.

Blind Dave is the first blind man to complete seven marathons in seven continents in seven days, while Jodie is a British professional triathlete who started training at Oldbury Swimming Club.

Onlookers also turned out in force to watch as the joggers did a lap of the town in the sold-out race.

Race director Mark Till said: "It went really well, we had a tremendous turn out of about 620 entries, it's a really good event.

"It's popular every year, but it seems to be more popular this year.

"We have runners dressed as Santa, elves and even Christmas puddings. The prize for the person with the best fancy dress is a large Christmas pudding.

"Quite a few people come dressed up, and a lot from running clubs come too.

"All the funds raised go to Sneyd Striders running club, help to pay for the facilities we use.

"The route is all left turns around Bloxwich, the five-mile route is one lap and the 10-mile is two laps.

"Lots of people came out to watch the race, it was a great turn out."