From families to seasoned runners, people everywhere are being encouraged to put their best foot forward for charity on Sunday 19 October at the University of Birmingham’s 12th annual road race.

More than seven hundred people are expected to head for the starting line at the university’s Edgbaston campus for a 5k road race and a 2k family fun run/walk in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust.

The popular event attracts competitors from as far a field as Kenya. Former participants include British Olympic Marathon runner Marion Sutton, track and road champion Bev Hartigan and many students from the university who have gone on to represent Britain in Athletics, the latest being Phil Nichols.

Event organiser Peter Hinton said: “This event is open to everyone and we welcome entrants of all ages and at any level, from people in fancy dress, walkers, joggers, through to serious runners, who may be warming up for the City of Birmingham Half Marathon the following weekend.

“It’s about raising awareness and much needed funds for charity and we would encourage anyone to come along and join in the fun.”

For further information and to enter the event please call 0121 414 5329 or visit www.uni5k.org.uk

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Media information: Anna Mitchell, University of Birmingham Press Officer, on 0121 414 6029, email a.i.mitchell@bham.ac.uk

Notes to Editors

The University of Birmingham has around 30,000 students and 6,000 members of staff and a turnover of £360 million. Birmingham encompasses not only the lakeside setting and green landscape of its Edgbaston campus, but also has bases across Birmingham as well at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford upon Avon, the Ironbridge Institute at the Ironbridge Gorge and at its outward bound Priestley Centre on the edge of Lake Coniston in the Lake District.

Acorns Children’s Hospice cares for children who are life limited and unlikely to reach adulthood .Through three hospices each based in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester they offer respite, emergency and terminal care and the charity’s team provides support to the whole family at home, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.