Runners have splashing time in Knowle fun run

May 12 2008 By Leda Reynolds

CHARITY champs donned their running shoes and turned the miles into cash yesterday at a Solihull village's popular fun run.

A record 1,900 runners sprang into action for the 25th annual Knowle Fun Run, pounding a five-mile route around the village to raise money for charity.

This year the event, organised by the Knowle and Dorridge Lions, is set to boost the coffers of the Acorns Children's Hospice, the Meningitis Trust and the Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Old and young alike, some dressed in costume, jostled for space on the starting line as the temperature nudged towards the 70s.

Hosepipe-wielding supporters numbering around 4,000 lined the route, covering the runners in water.

BBC Midlands Today presenter Sarah Falkland sounded the klaxon at noon outside Arden School, in Station Road, signalling the start of the event which followed a mini-run for youngsters at 10.45am.

Organiser Dave Carter, a members of the Lions, said they expected the event to have raised more than £40,000 for the nominated charities.

He said: "It will be a few days before we discover how much was raised but the main thing in the weather was wonderful and everyone had a great time. The heat did cause a few problems among the runners, but nothing too serious."