Over 240 runners showed they had the right stuff at the Action Heart Tuff-Un (Sunday 20 November) where they got more than their hands dirty on a gloopy multi-terrain course. They put their heart and ‘soles’ into the 6 mile run for this Dudley based cardiac rehab charity.

Baggeridge Country Park in Sedgley, South Staffordshire was the venue for the Action Heart Tuff-Un and a route that had a bit of everything for the discerning runner. Trails, singletrack, and hills (naturally!), woodland and water all combined to deliver a tough yet enjoyable race as participants squelched, slogged or in some cases, slipped over on their way to the finish. 

Mud is good for the complexion they say... And it was in at the deep end for any road runner making the switch from tarmac to trails. After all the rain we’ve had recently conditions were akin to cross country and the lung-busting efforts associated with this type of racing. 

George Appleby of Tipton Harriers was the winner in 39:03 closely followed by Liam Harrold of Aldridge RC who came second in 39:10. Oli Moore of West Bromwich Harriers finished third in 39:44. 

First woman home was Naomi Rae in 48:13. Claire Keene of Birmingham Running Athletics & Triathlon Club (BRAT) was second in 50:31 and Jemima Jackson third in 52:17.    

Check out all the results via the runABC Midlands Race Listings page. 

This was a well organised and marshalled event in support of the Action Heart cardiac rehabilitation programme at Russells Hall Hospital. More than 1,000 patients benefit from this programme each year.

Image courtesy of Mark Bailey.