Golden fun run gives Parkinson's sufferers reasons to cheer

Over 450 runners including a gold-medal winning Rio Olympian came together at the University of Birmingham last month, to raise over £10, 000 for Parkinson’s UK. On a beautiful autumnal morning in Edgbaston, people of all ages and abilities turned out to support the third annual “Bud’s Run”.

Runners, joggers, and walkers lined up alongside international athletics stars like Sara Treacy (handicap 0.9), Hannah England (handicap -1.5) and Alison Leonard (handicap -1.7) . Olympic gold medal winning hockey player Lily Owsley was there to start the action.

But the biggest cheer of all was reserved for Bud Baldaro, the University of Birmingham’s long serving and much loved athletics coach. A Parkinson’s disease sufferer himself, Bud walked round the entire 5K course roared on by friends and family.

Bud said:

“Bud's Run was a wonderful success with participants enjoying a lovely party atmosphere.  It was just great to see old friends catching up with each other.  I felt truly humbled by the support and involvement of so many young people and my fabulous family. We raised a fantastic £10, 000 for research into Parkinson's disease. If you’d like to donate yourself, please visit our Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/budsrun”

Spiderman, the 101 Dalmatians, Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker were just some of the fancy dress costumes on show. One family even fielded a team of 15. “Ron’s Rockets” took turns pushing the wheelchair of team captain Ron, who has Parkinson’s disease. Team member Anthony said:  “It was a fabulous day, filled with emotion and hope for the future”.

The main Bud’s Run 5K was supported by a 1K run for children, and a charity raffle and cake sale. Messages of support came in from athletics legends Paula Radcliffe and Steve Cram, both of whom have known Bud for many years.

Sponsors included Carillion Plc, and sports chain “Up and Running”.  Neil Rudge, Community Regeneration Manager from Carillion said:

“Carillion were delighted to continue supporting the Buds Run in 2016, the 5Km fun run around the University of Birmingham's historic Edgbaston campus in aid of Parkinson’s UK. It’s a great way of raising much needed funds for this very worthy charity.”

Aidan Wheeler, Store Manager at Up and Running in Birmingham, said:

“On Sunday 9th October, Up and Running Birmingham were present at the University of Birmingham to support the third Bud's Run. It was a fantastic event, and we had a great day meeting runners, hearing their experiences of the course and reasons for running the event.  400 runners turned out to take on the new course around the University grounds. Once they finished, all runners received an Up and Running bag and bottle. Up and Running Birmingham is proud to have supported Bud's Run 2016 in aid of Parkinson’s UK, and hope to see everyone back next year!”