Fun runners feel the heat

Jun 4 2007 By Adam Smith, Birminghgam Mail

THOUSANDS of runners toiled in the heat for charity, slogging around Sutton Coldfield at in the Great Midlands Fun Run.

Suttonians lined the eight-mile route showering the runners in water and offering encouragement as the high temperature took its toll.

But, thankfully, West Midlands Ambulance service said its staff did not have to deal with any serious cases of heat exhaustion.

As ever, the carnival atmosphere was helped as hundreds of participants donned fancy dress to give everyone a smile.

Only the fun run could attract characters like Borat, Ozzy Osborne and Scooby Doo, along with teams of clowns, nurses and six special fairies who were all helping to raise thousands for charity.

Vernon Thornton, a 46-year-old police officer from Sutton Coldfield, donned the purple glasses and wig that made him instantly recognisable to spectators as the bat eating Ozzy.

He said: "Ozzy is a legend and I thought it would be great to dress up as him. I have had loads of people cheering me on.

"The people on the course have been wonderful and I'd like to say a big thank to everyone who cheered me on, they have helped me a lot."

The Great Midlands Fun Run was set up three years ago, picking up where the successful Royal Sutton Fun Run left off after two decades of raising over a million for local charities.

Fun Run organiser Tracey Spare said: "This is a great day and it has gone brilliantly with so many people to turn up to give their support.

"The sun certainly made it very hard for the runners but, as everyone knows, the fun fun is not a race so everyone who finished is a winner."

There were 4,200 runners registered to run and they all set off at 11am snaking around Sutton Coldfield taking in Four Oaks, Boldmere, Sutton Park and the town centre.

Jessica Davidson, aged 35, held an impromptu party on the Lichfield Road to help give the runners a bit of encouragement.

She said: "Every year I promise myself I will run the next year but I never do, so I do the next best thing and give out sponges, water and even wine to runners if they want it."

The fun run raises thousands of pounds for local charities and gives people the spur to get to together and help causes close to their hearts.

Dawn Shakeshaft, from Kingstanding, was delighted when 12 friends decided to go through the pain barrier to raise cash for her six-year-old daughter, Jessica, who suffers from Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome.

She said: "This has been a wonderful day to see so many people running for local charities or in honour of people they know.

"I feel very humble that 12 people from the Bed Warehouse in Perry Barr took the trouble to raise cash for Jessica, so the least I could do is come out and give them some encouragement."