Knowle & Dorridge Fun Run Brings Out The Sun

Once again this year Knowle and Dorridge Lions mustered resources from far and wide to organise the 26th running of the 5 mile Knowle Fun Run. With record entries of over 2000 runners & 300 mini runners from as far away as Dublin & Glasgow, the traffic free roads and sunny weather brought crowds out in their thousands to cheer on the runners at Arden school and around the village.

Don Maclean, Solihull comedian & presenter set the runners on their way on the stroke of 12noon. Returning runners were relieved that it was not as hot as the 82F they endured previous year when many struggled with the heat, but were often dowsed by enthusiastic residents offering hosepipes and water guns as well as cups of water.

‘We were delighted Don was able to join us for the tremendous turn out this year’, said organising Knowle and Dorridge Lion Adrian Harris. ‘It seems that the decision to close the roads on the course for safety reasons again was universally welcomed by runners & local residents who set out chairs and tables and enjoyed a real party atmosphere.

‘Despite the recession all the costs of the day were met by local company sponsors in cash or in kind before anyone entered,’ says Adrian, ‘so we were able to tell runners that every £ of entry fee, donation or sponsorship raised will go to our nominated charities – Macmillan Cancer Support, Whizz-Kidz, Campaign SightFirst plus local causes. We hope to have raised over £40,000 when all the sponsorship comes in, bringing the amount raised by the event over the years to above the £500,000 mark’

The runs started with the traditional mascot race where the Running Lion took on the Couch Potato, MacMug from Macmillan Cancer Support & the Whizz-Kidz clown. This year’s winner by a short head was the Whizz-Kidz clown, closely followed by the Running Lion with the Couch Potato resolving to get out of his armchair and put some training in before next year’s Fun Run.

After that, over 300 under 9 year old Mini Runners were cheered around the school fields each wearing their complimentary blue Fun Run t-shirt and keen to be pick up their chocolate bar and certificate of achievement.

Typical of the feedback from runners was from a veteran of over 500 races: ‘Your fun run is among the most enjoyable I have competed in. The charisma & spirit this event has created is incredible. You only have to look at the support of the locals round the course to realise just how important they regard it. Well done & thank you for all your members efforts. We look forward to 2009.’ - Alan R Gardner

‘It’s great to be part of the team organising such a successful community event,’ said Adrian. ‘It takes all year to ensure the continued growth and success of the event, and well over 150 helpers on the day to ensure the Fun Run went off without a hitch.’

Lions may like to visit K&D’s websites www.KnowleandDorridgeLions.com and www.KnowleFunRun.org.uk for a greater insight of the day, results, photos and what else K&D achieve every year.