Carillion joins the race to beat Parkinson's Disease

Carillion PLC is sending a team to “Bud’s Run”, a family-friendly 5K around the Universityof Birmingham’s Edgbaston campus. “Bud’s Run” is the idea of Bud Baldaro, the former UKA Marathon Event Coach who’s been based at the University for over ten years. During his forty year career, Bud’s helped and encouraged hundreds of distance and middle-distance runners of all ages and standards.

Bud was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009, and is keen to use his love of running to help fund research into this long-term condition. Last year’s event helped raise over £27, 000 to support national charity Parkinson’s UK.

Carillion is currently constructing the University’s new £42 million library. The firm is also one of Bud’s Run’s main corporate sponsors. Steve Rogers, who is Carillion’s Project Manager for the library, said:

“We’re proud of our strong relationship with the University of Birmingham, and we’re delighted to help support this popular charity event.”

Bud’s Run will feature top BBC commentator and former 1500m world record holder Steve Cram. Other famous guests include World Championships Silver Medallist Hannah England, who Bud coaches. University of Birmingham alumnus Hannah has also represented Great Britain in the Olympic Games. International steeplechaser, Luke Gunn, Hannah’s husband, will also be there in his role as the University’s Head of Athletics.

Bud said: “Whatever kind of runner you are, please come and join us for a great family day out. The course is traffic-free and loops round the main campus. There will also be a junior sprint track, barbecue, jazz band, stalls, and 1k loop for Parkinson’s sufferers.”

Entries are open now online at www.budsrun.co.uk.