Christ Church and the Birmingham Half-Marathon

The final push

Our front steps and stretch of pavement along Pershore Road were full of enthusiastic spectators for the Great Birmingham Run 2011. If it moved, the crowd cheered it.

We provided a live band and free refreshments, outside the church building and at another point outside the Selly Park Tavern.

We had 14 of our own members taking part in the race, and naturally they got extra loud applause. The highest volume was reserved for daughter-and-mother team Emily and Philomena.

“It was a truly wonderful day”, reported Emily. “The faster runners cheered us as they passed and one helped me push Mum up the really steep hills near the end.”

We hope that every one of the 15,000 competitors, whether on foot or on wheels, got a boost as they went past.

A daughter pushes her mother in a wheelchair

“She ain't heavy, she's my mother”: Wild applause for Emily and Philomena

Many race entrants, from Christ Church and other churches, signed up to Bishop David's fundraising challenge in support of Christian Aid and other charities.

There is a team page on the JustGiving website with links to individual fundraising pages, most of which can accept donations for up to 3 months after the race.

“To be with 15,000 runners all doing something for others, and hearing the generous cheers of all the onlookers, was heartwarming, especially the wall of cheers as I ran past Christ Church!”
First time runner David

A first-time competitor

A runner raises his hand to acknowledge the crowd

A many-time competitor

Live bands entertained the runners and spectators

Some spectators dressed up for the occasion (but not many)

In 2009 the route of Birmingham Half-Marathon, as it was then called, came along Pershore Road for the first time. We offered refreshments - and shelter from the rain - to spectators gathered on our front steps and along the pavement.

This effort was expanded the following year, with live music and refreshments outside our own building and at another point further along Pershore Road. We had more entrants in the race too - doubling from 5 to 10 - as some of us who watched the previous year decided to get into training and have a go.

We had even more competitors in 2011, despite losses through injury. The date of the race coincided with another major sporting event, the Rugby World Cup Final, which we showed on the giant screens in our main hall.

One thing we didn't quite fit in that day was a conventional Sunday service at Christ Church - but we see it as church outside, serving the community in a different way.

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The final push

Three years running...

A busy Sunday morning