A NETHERTON runner will take part in his 250th race this weekend, dressed as Prince.

Mark Sinclair will pound the pavement on Sunday (October 14) as he takes on the Great Birmingham Run to raise funds for Shine.

The charity supports those living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and he decided to support it as it is a cause close to the hearts of his friends Andrea and Richard Taylor.

Mark said after the couple, whose grandson was stillborn due to spina bifida on July 20 this year, told him about the charity, he decided it was a worthy cause to support.

“When you run for a charity, it lifts you and gives you the incentive to finish,” he said.

Mark, 53, will certainly stand out from the crowd during his fundraising mission as he has decided to dress up as Prince.

But he is no stranger to wearing unusual race attire, having previously donned a Grinch costume to take part in 13 runs over a two year period.

“This costume is easier to run in,” he said.

“Plus Prince is my hero. I listened to a lot of his music in the eighties and the first time I ran in the costume was at Wolverhampton Parkrun on the second year anniversary of his death.”

Mark hopes the race will pull in £2,000 for the charity and his efforts will be boosted by a charity event hosted by Mr and Mrs Taylor at The Bulls Head in Dudley Road, Rowley Regis, on Saturday (October 13).

Between 12-4pm there will be a family fun day with face painting, a bouncy castle, refreshments and a raffle. Then, between 7-9pm, there will be an auction with signed sports memorabilia and jewellery amongst the items going under the hammer.