Birmingham’s Knowle Fun Run will return in 2024 for its 39th outing on 19 May. Organised by Knowle and Dorridge Lions, the event has grown exponentially since it launched back in 1984 when around 500 runners completed two laps of the same 2.5 mile course around Knowle as it is today, and raised around £300 for charity in the process.

In 2023 numbers were closer to 1000 and around £16,000 was raised for charity! A spokesperson from the Lions said: “That old Knowle Fun Run “buzz” was back in the village in 2023. There was a great atmosphere on the Arden Academy playing fields with the resident Ukulele band providing the background music and Eric Lyons keeping us fed with fantastic burgers and hot dogs."

The Midlands’ largest community Fun Run now boasts two distances with a 10K and 5K on offer. In addition there is a 400m KIDSrun for the real tots. The routes take runners through the traffic free roads of Knowle.

Starting from Arden Academy towards Knowle Village, the route takes in the High Street, a brief link on Lodge Road and after getting to ‘the top’ of Longdon, runners are rewarded to the flat of Tilehouse Green Lane before descending Purnells, Barcheston and the final stretch of Station Road. Organisers say: "Knowle Fun Run is very similar each year, it’s tried and tested and each lap is 5K."

If you'd like to know more, visit the Knowle and Dorridge Lions website.

Image: Knowle and Dorridge Lions