The Magnificent Seven-O
As the founder of founder of Bud's Run reaches 70, the team are aiming to smash £70,000 in aid of Parkinson's UK.
This popular charity 5K fun run at the Universityof Birmingham is celebrating its fourth year with a fresh course, fresh fundraising goals and a big birthday. “Bud’s Run” has already raised over £50 000 for Parkinson’s UK, and hopes to smash the £70 000 barrier when it’s held again on Saturday the 21st October 2017.
“Bud’s Run” was the brainchild of much-loved athletics coach Bud Baldaro, the former UK Athletics Marathon Coach who’s been based at the University for over a decade. Bud’s encouraged and helped hundreds of distance and middle-distance runners of all standards and ages, in a career spanning over forty years. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2009, Bud’s determined to use his love of running to help fund research into this long-term condition.
Bud said: “Let’s make the fourth Bud’s Run the biggest and best yet. We hope to have over 700 runners join in our 5k fun run and over 70 under 11s participate in our junior dash. Both races will start from the recently opened impressive new sports facilities. Please do your best to support us to achieve our fundraising target. You’ll find all the details at www.budsrun.co.uk”
Luke Gunn (handicap -4.4) , international steeplechaser and Head Athletics Coach at the University of Birmingham, said:
“Buds Run 2017 is going to be epic. We have been overwhelmed by the support of the running and local community over the past three years, but as always, we want the fourth running of the 5k event around the University of Birmingham campus to be even bigger and better than before. We will be starting and finishing the race from the brand new £50m sports centre.
Luke continued, “After the run participants and spectators can reward themselves with a banquet and a boogie into the early hours to celebrate Bud's 70th in the University's Great Hall. Please help us to spread the word far and wide, and book early to avoid missing out on what promises to be the night of the year." To enter visit: www.budsrun.co.uk
Along with the 5K, there will be a fun run for the under 11s, interactive team games organsied by Rabble, a raffle, sports masseur on hand, a sizzling BBQ and plenty of tea, coffee and cake. Although very much a family fun run, previous Bud’s Runs have attracted athletics stars both past and present. They include world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe, middle distance legend Steve Cram, Olympian and 1500m World Championship Silver Medallist Hannah England (handicap 1.0), currently coached by Bud, and Olympian Sara Treacy (handicap 3.2), also currently coached by Bud.
'Up and Running Birmingham is proud once again to be supporting the 2017 edition of Bud's Run. We are excited to help make this year the best attended Bud's Run ever with 700 plus runners taking on the course by either running, jogging or walking. As a company we recognise the fantastic impact the event makes in raising funds and awareness for Parkinson's UKas well as bringing together the running community of Birminghamand beyond.So lace up those trainers and we look forward to seeing you on the start line!'
In October 2016, UK Athletics formally recognised Bud’s commitment and outstanding achievements in athletics by inducting him into the UKA Hall of Fame, alongside athletics greats such as Lord Sebastian Coe and Steve Cram.
Sarah Wakeman, Parkinson’s UK Regional Fundraiser said, “As a charity we rely solely on the generosity of our supporters and Bud’s Run has raised a fantastic amount of money to date but just as importantly raised awareness of the condition. We would love everyone to get involved on October 21st to celebrate Bud’s 70th and to help us hit the £70,000 mark.”
For more information on Bud’s Run, please visit www.budsrun.co.uk.