After postponing this event from May 2020 to 11 October because of the Coronavirus pandemic we have now decided to cancel this entirely for 2020 and come back afresh in 2021 when hopefully we will have fewer restrictions than at present.  You will have seen that many other similar events have also been cancelled this year and we are very disappointed because we know how much the village enjoys the Knowle Fun Run. 

Well done to all our runners on Sunday. We hope you recovered quickly. The Lions are still recovering!

Look out for a big spread in this week’s Solihull Observer, or read our press release here

View all the results and photos 

K&D Lions wish to thank everyone who helped make a success of this years event. We hope to see you all again next May, but in the meantime please consider how you may be able to help us ensure the future of this brilliant Solihull charity fundraiser and get in touch now

In case there is any doubt the KFR course will be traffic-free as usual on Sunday

With less than a week to go to our Fun Run the Road Closure Signs are going up. 

We were asked by Solihull MBC to hold off putting them up until after the Velo?

NB We have put back the online entry deadline to 18:00 Wednesday 15th May so there is still time for you to enter

The attached email was sent to all runners e-address on Friday 10 May. NB Online entry deadline has been extended to 18:00 on Wed 15 May. If you did not receive yours please read it now

A longstanding supporter of the Knowle Fun Run, the Window Centre, have stepped in to take over sponsorship of the suite of lamp-posters we use to alert residents of the event, especially the road closure notices, as well as the kilometer signs and water stations around the course on the day. They already sponsor the runners numbers.

Watch out for their  new distinctive purple and black logo on signs which will start appearing soon

“We are really grateful to Martin Lewis Marketing Director of the Window Centre in Marshall Lake Road, without his support the Fun Run would not be the success it is” says Adrian Harris, Fun Run co-ordinator

Entries are already flooding in for this year’s Knowle Fun Run on Sunday 19 May in aid of SoLO Life Opportunities, the UK Sepsis Trust and other local causes. Organisers Knowle and Dorridge Lions are hoping Solihull’s longest running Fun Run, now in its 36^th consecutive year, will be even better than last year which attracted over 1800 entries and raised over £34,000 for charity

“We are delighted to welcome West Midlands Mayor Andy Street as this year’s special guest who will start the Kids Runs for the under 9s at 11am  and 10k and 5k runs at 12noon” says this year’s the event organiser Lion Adrian Harris. “Andy will then jump down from the starter’s rostrum and run the 5k 1 lap through the traffic-free streets of Knowle cheered on by residents who turn out to support all the runners, before returning to award prizes for all the winners.”

Last week Andy came along to Arden Academy in Knowle to meet the Lions organisers and the partner charity fundraisers and to familiarise himself with the course. Andy said “I was really surprised when the Lions invited me to start the Knowle Fun Run and to award the winners prizes. I had no hesitation in accepting especially when I read that the benefitting charities are The UK Sepsis Trust – who do so much to raise awareness of Sepsis and supporting those affected by it, and SoLO Life Opportunities – who do great work adding value to the lives of over 1000 children and adults with learning disabilities in Solihull. I asked the Lions if I could actually run the Fun Run as well as starting it, as I really want to enjoy the atmosphere generated by so many charity runners – and they have said ‘yes’, so I’m committed now.”

Andy will be the first Fun Run starter to run the race as well since Jasper in 2003. Runners should watch out for the Mayor wearing running number 1

As usual there will be prizes to be won for individuals in each category as well as teams of 4. There will also be a fancy dress prize for the most original outfit completing the course. Full details can be found and entry online via www.knowlefunrun.org.uk now

“We have some great opportunities for businesses to help us cover the costs of staging the event this year so that all entry fees will go to the partner charities and local causes. Please get in touch now,” said Adrian. “We would also like to hear from residents not running who make like to volunteer to help either as marshals on the day or other key roles.” Please contact Adrian on 2019@knowlefunrun.org.uk

Photo: Andy Street, Mayor for the West Midlands, Maria Brown from SoLO, Adrian Harris Fun Run organiser, Sam Hiskett from Sepsis Trust; 

Yes those are the colours for this year’s Knowle Fun Run. Here it is, a sneak peak at this year’s t-shirt:

Like last year the 5k & 10k tech t-shirts will cost £8:50 as you enter

and as usual all Kids entered for the Kids runs will receive free cotton t-shirts

HOT SUNSHINE GREETS KNOWLE FUN RUNNERS

or

KENYAN ROMPS HOME IN FIRST HIS 10k KFR

After weeks of cold weather for training, organisers of last Sunday’s 35^th Knowle Fun Run were delighted when warmer weather brought out the joggers and entry numbers shot up in the final weeks as runners from all over the country decided whether to run 5k or 10k.

It was the hottest Knowle Fun Run since 2006, when V.I.P. weather forecaster Shefali brought temperatures of 28C. The runners welcomed the many impromptu water stations around the 5k course and local residents showering them with sprays of water

The provisional winners were:

Solihull’s new Mayor Councillor Flo Nash sent the runners on their way on the dot of midday.  As she said “Enjoy your Run today, you cannot all be winners but you are all helping the Lions raise over £36,000 for Headway, Breast Cancer Haven and other local Lions causes, so everyone’s a winner.”

“This is the 35^th Knowle Fun Run and it continues to be the biggest & most popular Fun Run in Solihull raising more for charity than all the others. This year our numbers have increased to nearly 1800 entries for our 5k & 10k Fun Run & 4 KIDSruns”, said Fun Run lead Lion Richard Buckley. “The Lions were grateful for the continued sponsorship from many companies who helped cover the costs of staging the event. We really appreciate how lucky we are to have the support of a long list of local companies. This enables us to tell runners that every £ of entry fee, donation or sponsorship raised will go to our nominated charities. We hope to have raised over £36,000 when all the runners sponsorship has been received. As usual many runners raised funds for their own favourite charities and we shall never know how many thousands of pounds to add to that we receive, unless they tell us.”

Overall 10k winner  Kenyan Amittai Ben_Isreal from Warwick said thanks very much, it was a great event. “It was my first KFR and I was amazed at the great crowd support! My coaching team, Emily & Jacob Moyes, were out on the course and told me I had built a strong lead but I went the wrong way at the final turn (presumably because the support from the crowds was so good that I wanted to do a third lap). This is classic behavior from myself and is probably down to my Kenyan ‘Hakuna matata’ upbringing. My training partner, local lad Zach Noland, was subsequently first to cross the finish but informed the officials of the mishap and my win was reinstated. Thanks to all those who came out to support and volunteer at what was a great event and to the support of my athletics club Straw Bear Striders.”

The day started well when around 250 under 9 year olds took part in 4 KIDSruns wearing their complimentary lime green Fun Run t-shirts were cheered around the Arden school fields all keen to pick up their Aldi chocolate bar and certificate of achievement. The winners all received trophies & gifts courtesy of KIDSrun sponsor Listers Land Rover

Jacob tells us that he won the Year 3 kids run last year, Year 2 the year before and Year 1 the year before that. Clearly a name to watch for the 5k next year.

“It’s great to be part of a team organising such a popular and successful community event,” said organiser Richard. Anyone who may like to help the Lions with this or their other fundraising activities please get in touch now via info@knowleanddorridgelions.com.

“Our next fundraiser is the Heart of England Bike Ride on 8 July” 

Please see the full results and photo gallery 

If you have any great images, video or feedback of the day generally please email across 

To all runners tomorrow

Depending upon how many Late Entries apply tomorrow at 0900 we could have the biggest entry for the Knowle Fun Run for several years

It’s going to be hot. Not as hot as 2006 when it reached 28C and was the hottest day of the year as Shefali told us. But hot enough you should make sure you bring a full water bottle with you, and don’t rely solely upon those provided by the Lions and the 4 water stations we have around the course.

If you are wearing Royal wedding Fancy Dress make sure you are at the stage for judging and photocall at 10:30.

We look forward to see you all warming up at 11:50, setting off for the 10k at 12:00 or 5k at 12:05 & welcoming you home. 

Have a great KFR and remember it is a fun run. Enjoy