Latest news with #GreatBirminghamRun
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Well Run Brum: The running club supporting men's mental health
For most people who take up the sport, running is about far more than the act of putting one foot in front of the other. It generates happiness, fitness, confidence, ambition, a sense of freedom – the list goes on. For people like Richard Loftus, running is a lifeline. Two years ago, Loftus was at the lowest he'd ever been, struggling deeply with his mental health and unable to even imagine himself running. Now, the 37-year-old from Southam, Warwickshire, is spearheading a game-changing running club that helps other men to care for their mental health and get their lives back on track. This club is Well Run Brum, a Birmingham-based community that hosts free 5K runs in the city centre for men of all ages and abilities every fortnight. Having helped to inspire and reshape the lives of countless men in Birmingham already, Loftus will now take on this year's Great Birmingham Run to shine a brighter light on Well Run Brum and encourage more men to speak up about their mental health. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Here's how it all started. Running free from the struggles 'The tiny thing that unravels your world is the best way to describe the gradual decline in my mental health,' says Loftus, recalling the immobilising mental health crisis that had gradually 'crept up on him' two years ago. At the time, he remembers sobbing on the phone to the receptionist at his GP surgery – and telling them that he could no longer cope with life. 'I think that it was a series of things that led up to it,' he continues. 'Each thing sounds insignificant on its own, but together they built up into this unimaginable ball of tension and anxiety. By the time things had reached a crisis point, not only was I unable to articulate what was happening, but I also couldn't say how I'd got there. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 'There wasn't anything remarkable about the day that I called the GP. In fact, I felt completely unremarkable. I felt weak, exhausted and lost. I also felt embarrassed and ashamed.' Well Run Brum Thankfully, Loftus was able to visit his GP surgery for an appointment that same day. Here, he was diagnosed with stress, depression and anxiety and, for immediate relief, he was prescribed medication and signed off work. After a few weeks of complete rest, Loftus felt well enough to join a gym and, for the first time, try to start running regularly. 'I found a freedom in running that silenced my mind,' reflects Loftus. 'Then, when I started running with other people, I found that this freedom enabled me to talk openly and honestly about what I was going through and how I was feeling.' Making strides According to Loftus, running regularly and learning to talk openly about his problems has transformed his mental health and made him 'a completely different person' – entirely for the better. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement As such, having felt the immense positive impact of running on his own life, Loftus decided to set up Well Run Brum to help other men take steps to improve their wellbeing. 'I really wanted to build a support network – a community', explains Loftus. 'I saw that it could serve a greater purpose, because it wasn't something that only I needed – and the statistics around men's mental health support that. One in four people experience mental health issues every year and men are far less likely to seek help than women. 'The Birmingham Suicide Prevention Strategy found that men accounted for 76% of suicides within the region,' continues Loftus. 'These deaths are preventable. Men are typically socialised in a manner that dissuades them from acknowledging or displaying vulnerability. From my own experience, I know that this can lead to those greater moments of crisis. That needs to change.' Well Run Brum As Loftus has recognised, we need to create more environments that encourage men to start communicating with each other and sharing their thoughts honestly, openly and without prejudice. Well Run Brum is one such environment. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 'It can feel like a weakness to admit that you're struggling, but it actually takes huge strength to start a conversation about what's on your mind,' he says. 'Just like running, taking that first step can be hard – but it does get easier. The more we do that, the less daunting it is.' Well Run Brum hits the Great Birmingham Run Well Run Brum enables men to run together in a relaxed, welcoming setting at a conversational pace. Before each fortnightly 5K, a guest speaker even helps to motivate runners by providing a talk related to fitness, health and wellbeing. So far, guest speakers have included Giant from the BBC's Gladiators, Paralympian Darren Harris and the Birmingham Royal Ballet's Kit Holder. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 'Since launching Well Run Brum, so many incredible men have taken the time to inspire us and stimulate conversation,' says Loftus, who now has an England Athletics Leadership in Running Fitness qualification and Mental Health First Aid Level 2 training under his belt. 'What I love about this concept is that somebody else is doing the talking first, because being able to start that conversation can be really overwhelming. You can take it in, join the conversation, listen to others or just be. There's no pressure. Hopefully, people will get something out of it either way.' Well Run Brum Loftus and four other members of Well Run Brum are now getting ready to lace up for the half marathon at the 2025 Great Birmingham Run on Sunday 4 May – and for some of them, it will be their first-ever 13.1-mile event. 'Running has truly changed my life,' says Johnathan Williams, who is one of the Well Run Brum runners taking on his inaugural half marathon on Sunday. 'I'm so proud to be a part of a men's mental health running club that's having a positive impact on so many other people's lives.' ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement As for Loftus, he believes that the Great Birmingham Run – which will see around 16,000 people descend upon the city for a celebratory day of running – will be a chance to spark more conversations about men's mental health and prevent men from suffering in silence. 'Our minds are muscles, too,' he notes. 'If we put as much emphasis into training our mental fitness as we do our physical fitness, it would help everyone to better cope with the day-to-day stresses of life.' Organised by Great Run, the 2025 Great Birmingham Run – which encompasses a 10K and half marathon – will take place on Sunday 4 May. You can find out more about Well Run Brum here and, if you need support, please contact the Samaritans. You Might Also Like
Metro
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
I'm a surfing holy bishop who found my calling running ultra-marathons
A bishop has found a calling outside the church — hitting the terrain in gruelling ultra-marathons up to 100km long. The Right Reverend Dr Michael Volland is also a keen surfer when it comes to life away from his Church of England posting in Birmingham. His lengthy roll of endurance events includes the epic 100km Race to the Stones along the ancient Ridgeway and he is due to trade robes for running gear at Sunday's AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run. 'I like the sense of freedom that comes from just leaving your house and running down the street,' Dr Volland explained. 'I value the space to think and look around. 'After a run I often feel more mentally alert and have a sense of inner peace and calm. Running is a gift from God. It creates space to think, pray and be refreshed and it gives me a lot of joy.' The married father-of-three is training for his 17th ultramarathon alongside taking part in Sunday's event for 16,000 people of all ages and abilities. Away from the land-locked city, he loves surfing and has been a member of a charity called Christian Surfers UK for 30 years. The clergyman explained that exercise and his spiritual calling have more in common than might meet the eye. 'I'm generally more joyful when I find time to run,' he said. 'In that sense, running is essential to being a good bishop. 'People are sometimes surprised that I find time to run. 'Most people then tell me that they wish they could find time. 'I try and encourage them to choose to give it a try. 'You don't have to run far or fast. Even 20 minutes down the road and back can be a positive thing and will make a difference.' Dr Volland's first taste of running was through athletics at school. 'After that, I didn't really run until I was in my mid-40s, when I signed up for a half marathon,' he explained. 'While I was training for that I decided to sign up for an ultra-marathon. 'I completed my first three ultras the following year, including the 100km Race to the Stones.' Last year, when he became Bishop of Birmingham, he decided to sign up for the Great Birmingham Run half marathon. 'I thought it would be good to take part in an exciting mass-participation event that would also help me see a bit of the city and raise money for an important cause,' he said. 'It was a beautiful day and the atmosphere was superb. 'It was very well organised and there were lots of people supporting on the streets.' This year, Dr Volland is running the 13.1 miles to raise money for a charity called Thrive Together Birmingham. 'Thrive Together Birmingham does a brilliant job of supporting people on the margins,' he said. 'They bring together individuals and churches to address poverty and help communities to flourish. 'Because I believe that God loves Birmingham and the people who live here, I am committed to playing my part alongside others – including Thrive – in building a flourishing Birmingham.' While the bishop sees running as a gift from God, he will be leaving his cassock at home. 'I will be aiming for a reasonable time, so will be in my running gear and not my robes!' he smiled. More Trending The half marathon is part of a weekend celebration of running events being held in the city over the Bank Holiday weekend. On Saturday, children have the chance to run at the home of the city's Commonwealth Games heroics — the Alexander Stadium — in junior and mini runs. The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run half marathon and 10k are due to start on Sunday outside the Library of Birmingham and take in landmarks including the world-famous Jewellery Quarter before a grandstand finish in Smithfield. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Windrush Day: The moment my grandmother would never again call Jamaica home MORE: 'It all started from us': 50 years of sound system history at recreated family home MORE: We live yards from colossal HS2 building work – here's what we really think
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
West Midlands paramedics to run half marathon with stretcher
If you spot eight paramedics running a half marathon with a stretcher there's no need to Hazardous Area Response Team (Hart) from West Midlands Ambulance Service will be carrying the equipment in the Great Birmingham Run on Sunday to raise money for in full uniform and helmets, the team aims to raise £5,000 for children's charity Together for Short Lives and The Ambulance Staff Charity, which supports frontline workers. "It will be a huge challenge for us to carry all our equipment in uniform over 13.1 miles," Hart team leader Dale Wallis said. More than 15,000 people are expected in Birmingham on Sunday for the half marathon and 10k run which is now sold out. The race will start at Centenary Square, passing through places like Cannon Hill Park and Edgbaston Cricket Ground before finishing in Smithfield. As part of the team's preparations, they have been waking up at 05:00 to run 5km (three miles) or 8km ( five miles) before their 12 hour shift begins."It's to build up our strength and put all our training around family life," paramedic Ben Popple said. He added that whilst he felt nervous for the event, he looked forward to having a "refreshing beverage" after crossing the finishing line. The team aim to complete at least one challenge a year for charity and a half marathon is something they have never done before as a Rob Griffiths said they had raised more than £1,000 so far and were determined to reach their "ambitious" target. "We wanted to stand out and put ourselves out there to try and fundraise," he added. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Birmingham bishop won't have flowing robes in half-marathon
The Bishop of Birmingham will be running in a half-marathon through the city on Sunday – but he'll be in his running gear, not his Right Reverend Dr Michael Volland, who will be among 16,000 people taking to the streets for the sold-out Great Birmingham Run, is a keen runner and surfboarder and is currently training for his 17th first taste of running was when he was at school but he said he didn't start properly until he was in his mid-40s."I like the sense of freedom that comes from just leaving your house and running down the street," he said. "I value the space." Dr Volland said that after a run, he feels more mentally alert, has a sense of inner peace and calm, and is "generally more joyful".Encouraging other people to take up running, he said: "You don't have to run far or fast. Even 20 minutes down the road and back can be a positive thing and will make a difference." 'Amazing energy' The clergyman's run this year will raise money for charity Thrive Together Birmingham which, he said, does "a brilliant job of supporting people on the margins".Dr Volland issued a picture showing him holding pink, white and black trainers and wearing matching clerical attire, but he said: "I will be aiming for a reasonable time, so will be in my running gear and not my robes!"Organisers said the race had sold out after thousands of participants, from first-time runners to experienced half-marathoners took up the route starts at Centenary Square and visits areas including the Jewellery Quarter, St Paul's Square, the Mailbox, Grand Central, Edgbaston and Cannon Hill Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company, said: "Birmingham has an amazing energy and the support on the streets is always second to none." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wolves fan gets 100th birthday football wish
A 100-year-old World War Two veteran and committed Wolves fan, who had not been to a game in years, watched his beloved team from the comfort of the directors' box at the weekend - as a reward for more than six decades of support. Sydney Ball, who lives in Ipswich, was nominated for a Wolves Wish by his friends, who initially just asked the club to send him a birthday card signed by the players. But he ended up watching Wolves come from behind to beat Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday from the best seats in the house. "I totally enjoyed Wolves beating Ipswich," said Mr Ball. "The game itself had everything." Wolves Wishes is an initiative run by the club's charity, the Wolves Foundation, which aims to give back to deserving fans from across the world. A former Lancaster bomber pilot in the RAF, Mr Ball became a Wolves fan after WW2 when living in London with his wife and son Jeff, who have both since passed away. "It was amazing how we became Wolves fans really, because we lived on the edge of London and Jeff... for some unknown reason, he just went for Wolves and it spun off from there," he explained. Mr Ball was nominated by his friends - and Ipswich fans - Gemma and Paul Chenery, who run his favourite pub. "He's lost his wife and his son, who were both big Wolves fans, and he's told us lots of stories about watching Wolves," said Mrs Chenery. "So just before his birthday, I thought I'd get in touch and just ask for a card signed by the players – but it's literally gone mad." For Mr Ball's centenary celebration, the club sent him a package of gifts, as well as a personal message from former Wolves and England striker Steve Bull. He was then invited to be guest of honour at the Ipswich match. "When we turned up to his house to pick him up, he had his Wolves tie on, his Wolves scarf on," said Mrs Chenery. "To be honest, it didn't matter about the score from our point of view because it was an amazing day for us seeing him enjoy it." On the day, Mr Ball met club directors John Gough and John Bowater - as well as the vice-president, rock legend and Wolves fan Robert Plant. "He kept smiling the whole day," Mrs Chenery added. "He kept laughing and saying how he couldn't believe what was going on." Mr Ball has also been invited as a special guest to Spurs' visit to Molineux on Sunday. "It's been a very long time since I last went to Molineux," he said. "Tell them I'm coming up there, so my instructions are 'they've got to win'." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Wolves fan dedicates care home room to his club Wolves Foundation makes Great Birmingham Run plea Have Wolves ended Ipswich's 'ultimate dream'? Wolverhampton Wanderers
