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Bobsleighers, Beefeaters, leprechauns and teams pulling hot tubs, Royal Mail vans and a fire engine – and even the ‘Queen’, can mark just one thing, the return of one of the Midlands post popular running events. The Royal Sutton Fun Run, which snakes through 8.5 miles of the streets of Sutton Coldfield and the huge Sutton Park, returned for its 40 th anniversary event, after a three-year gap due to Covid.
Around three thousand runners, including adults, children and dogs headed to Sutton town centre for the event, which has so far raised £4.83 million for good causes. After a traditional blessing from Rev John Rough, West Midlands Deputy Lieutenant, Doug Wright, who runs more than 20 McDonald’s in the region, including the one in Sutton at the start line, got proceedings underway, waving a Union Jack.
A warning was given about ‘crater’ potholes in the park from railway turn to Four Oaks gate, but thankfully, event organiser Tracey Spare confirmed there were no serious injuries. A staggered start saw disabled runners go first along with the Wolverhampton Bobsled Team.
Read more: Wedding bells, superheroes & poignant causes – tales of the fun run
Then the adults set off with seasoned club runners at the front and a host of people in fancy dress, Where’s Wally and a chimney sweep among them, running for causes close to their heart or just for the enjoyment of a tour of the Royal Town.
Juniors and those with dogs started in a third group – with the youngsters pelting along Lower Parade to the start line and beyond. Then came a hot tub being pulled by the UK’s only hot tub manufacturer, Rota Spa, right here in Sutton Coldfield, supporting the Starlight charity. And the Queen – well two being pulled by Beefeaters from the Real Life Church team, appropriately in the Royal Town in the special Platinum Jubilee week.
Last but not least were two groups pulling vehicles – a Royal Mail team backing Birmingham Children’s Hospital pulling a mail van, and a team of firefighters pulling a fire engine for the Firefighters Charity. As well as the runners, thousands more lined the streets of the town and were dotted around Sutton Park cheering the runners on.
‘First across the line for fourth time’
The first to cross the finish line was a familiar Sutton fun run exponent, Jonathan Carter. The 38-year-old from Erdington, who runs for Tipton and was representing Good Gym, was taking part in his seventh fun run and he finished first over-the-line in four of them.
He said: “I do it because the crowds are fantastic. There’s not a fun I do where the crowds are so great. It’s great to be back. The hardest bit for me was from halfway through Town Gate to Cardiac Hill But it’s such an enjoyable run.”
Second across the finish line was Adam Smith who lives in Pelsall and was with the Aldridge Running Club. The 34-year-old said: “The crowds are brilliant, as good as any of the big races in Birmingham or London.”
While Liam Harrold, also from the Aldridge Running Club finished third. The 33-year-old from Boldmere in Sutton became a dad for the second time on Wednesday, with baby boy Finlay born. He said: “My Mrs was great and let me do it. It was nice and cool. The climb to the Jamboree Stone was tough but the best bit for me is going home now!”
The first woman to finish was Elizabeth Watters, from Great Barr who believes she clocked 52 minutes and 48 seconds for the run. The 32-year-old Birchfield Harrier was taking part in her fourth fun run. She said: “It is tough but I like running hard. The hills are hard but I enjoyed it all.”
The stream of runners in fancy dress, with dogs, hot tubs, fire engines and Royal Mail vans crossed the line, with a host of tales which can be found here. Postie, Russell Bow, ‘marshalled’ the Royal Mail van around the fun run course, meaning he didn’t have to pull it or steer it! The posties were raising money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital and had some friendly rivalry with the firefighters raising money for the Firefighters Charity, who Russell said he ‘let through’.
Royal Sutton Fun Run event director, Tracey Spare, was pleased with how the event went despite the lower numbers this year. He said: “It seems to have gone well. The people who have turned out to support it and the people who have participated reinforces how important this event is to the town.
“The key thing this year was to get it back on the calendar and re-establish the event, which we have done. People say it’s a great event to participate in.
“We were late to confirm the date this year, first with Omicron and then with the Jubilee meaning the event had to be moved. I’d have loved to have more people but I am not disappointed.
“The turn-out was bigger than the first Great Midlands Fun Run. “The Royal Sutton Fun Run is back and I look forward to the 40th running of the fun run on June 4 next year.”
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