Runners across the region are being invited to test themselves on one of The Midlands’ canal-side races as the 9 Locks Challenge returns on 31 May.

The 10K point-to-point event links Stourbridge with Brierley Hill along the historic Stourbridge Canal, tracing a route shaped by the area’s industrial heritage. The race begins near the Bonded Warehouse and finishes at the The Waterfront after a scenic but demanding journey on mixed canal paths.

Organised by StuWEB Race Timing in partnership with OP Events, the race has developed a reputation as a social yet testing challenge that combines leafy waterside running with a tough sustained climb in the closing stages. Organisers tell us: "The defining feature is the ascent of the nine Delph Locks, a continuous uphill section that awaits competitors near the finish and gives the event its name."

A bespoke medal and goody bag await runners at the finish, while free coach transport will be provided from the finish area back to the start to support the point-to-point format.

Organisers say: "This event offers a memorable way to experience a historic route while pushing physical limits, with the canal side setting and challenging profile combining to create a race that rewards determination as much as speed." A winter edition of the event is also planned for 29 November.

If you'd like to know more, visit the OP Events website.

Image: OP Events