Birmingham Future Foundation Team – Half Marathon Review

On a cold, drizzly Sunday morning approximately 12,000 people, many of them residents of the Midlands, hit the streets of Birmingham to run in the EDF World Half Marathon. Amongst these runners were the ten strong team representing Birmingham Future. After weeks of anticipation it was finally here, a chance for us to complete what we had started a few months before through regular training sessions. Full of carbohydrates from the previous night’s mountain of pasta, it was time to set off to the roar of the large and excited crowd that had gathered to support all of the runners.

(From left Paul Fielding, Matt Taylor and Danielle Osadciw-Brown)

The team itself were all very focused individually and this was proven by the fact that, rather boringly, none of us ran round together and we all stayed at our own pace. Being my first run of any kind since my school days, I was really unsure what to expect. The first mile or so was quite simply an amazing experience with competitors struggling for space whilst the crowd cheered us on. The serious athletes around me literally went charging to the front and flew off into the distance and in almost all cases were never to be seen again.

In this first mile two Birmingham Future runners and also one of my colleagues, who was not running for Birmingham Future, all went steaming past me at the rate of knots. Two of these, including Gareth Poole of Turner and Townsend and my colleague, finished in extremely impressive times of just over 1 hour and 40 minutes. The other, who will remain unnamed, struggled home in a time of 2 hrs 13mins and 6 seconds (see below!).

Being from the south of the city and not knowing many of the areas that we were running through, I believe had its advantages. This was because it gives you something new to look at whilst you are going round, thereby making it more interesting and meaning that you are not dreading any part of the circuit. However, if I had known the route beforehand, the near 45 degree hill on Maryvale Road by Bournville Station would have given me nightmares in the weeks before. The good news after that absolute killer, therefore, was that we still had approximately 6 miles left to run! Easy!

The last two miles coming back into the centre of Birmingham were extremely difficult and it was quite disconcerting to see my boss go flying past me with a smile on his face, having challenged me prior to the race. The final two corners though were absolutely fantastic. Firstly, I was able to high-five my wife and son who had come to support me and then into the final straight on Broad Street I put my foot down, inspired by the large crowd who were making a lot of noise. This truly was a testament to Birmingham and the fabulous people who live in the area.

I managed to finish in a time of 1 hour 50 minutes and 26 seconds, which I was very pleased with, especially as my only target was just to finish. The runners in the team all finished as follows;

Gareth Poole (Turner & Townsend)    finished in        1hr 40.24

Paul Fielding (Brewin Dolphin)                                          1.50.26

Emily Morris (Willis)                                                              1.54.39

Matt Taylor (Headline Communications)                      1.59.11

Maxwell Dobbs (BHMG)                                                        1.59.56

Jason Norris (Delloite)                                                          2.02.06

Ann Taylor (Innovit)                                                             2.04.30

Danielle Osadciw-Brown (BHMG)                                     2.10.53

Peter Meckiff (Brewin Dolphin)                                         2.13.06

Claire Bishop (BHMG)                                                           2.32.25

All in all, the team have managed to raise in excess of the £1,500 target and I would like to thank all of them for all of their hard work and, of course, all of the generous people who sponsored us. The money raised by the runners will go directly into the Future Foundation Fund. This will then be used to fund projects approved by Birmingham Future via Birmingham Community Foundation to provide grants which are set up to support the local community in areas of poverty and deprivation in Birmingham and the Black Country.

If you have not sponsored us and would like to do so post the event, the easiest way to make a donation is to visit the Just Giving website on www.justgiving.com/birminghamfuturehalfmarathon. Alternatively, if you see any of the runners I am sure that they will be more than happy to accept a cheque made payable to ‘Birmingham Community Foundation’, if you feel so inclined.

Finally, on a personal note, I would like to thank Danielle Osadciw-Brown of BHMG for all of her help with the organisation, the Birmingham Future Community Development Committee and the Colmore Business District for kindly supplying the team t-shirts.

If any of you feel so inclined, I am sure that I will be once again talked into not only taking part but also running (pardon the pun) a team in 2010 and you are of course more than welcome to join me.

Many thanks for your kind support,

Paul Fielding, Brewin Dolphin and member of the Birmingham Future Community Development Committee.

To Next Year…

On Sunday, the Birmingham Future Half Marathon team successfully took part in the city’s first attempt at the 13.1 mile event.  Sunday’s weather was far from perfect, with rain and strong winds, but all of the Future team made it round safely.

The ‘undulating’ course took its took on some of the runners legs, with the first six or seven miles being predominately uphill!  Matt Taylor, Future’s current chair, was delighted to part of the the day: “The blood, sweat and tears were all worth it in the end as I crossed the line, beating my previous half marathon time by a full five minutes.  I was delighted to be running for Birmingham Foundation, and want to thank all the members of Future who took part”.

Geoff Guerin, of BHSF, and Jason Norris of Deloitte, both hit the metophorical wall during the race.  For Geoff, it was at the 9 mile mark: “Once I hit the 7 mile mark I knew I was on the way back, unfortunately my body didn’t think the same… and after pushing through the wall at 9 miles I got back into the swing of things at 11 miles and headed for home”.

For Anthony McCourt, of Wragge & Co and current BYPY, it was a first half marathon experience, and a positive one finishing in 1 hour and 46 minutes.  “It was a challenge, but with hindsight, a fantastic thing to be part of.  I really enjoyed running through, in, out and across our city… though I will never think of Hagley Road in the same way again”.

Also running for Future was Neil Murphy, of Lloyds TSB who was surprised and encouraged by the support all the way around the course, and is already looking forward to taking part next year.  

In all, the Birmingham Future team raised over £1,000 for the Birmingham Foundation, with more money still to collect.  The whole team are extremelly thankful to everyone who has donated to date, and remind you that should you wish to recognise the acheivements of the team, you can still make a donation to the team.

So here is to next year… where again, Birmingham Future will be entering a team in a run through the city… will you be part of that team?

Running For Future Are…

With only one week to go, Birmingham Future’s Half Marathon team are looking at the weather forecasts and praying for ideal running weather.  The long range forecast does not too too good, but at least we will all have an extra hour in bed that morning when the clocks go back.

With only one week to go, the team are determined to increase the amount we raise for the Birmingham Foundation.  The full team are listed below, all of whom will be raising money for the Foundation:

• Matt Taylor – Headline Communications & Birmingham Future Chair
• Bina Ganatra – Lloyds TSB & Birmingham Future Marketing Committee
• Anthony McCourt – Wragge & Co and current BYPY
• Roula Samaha – Radisson SAS Hotel and BYPY Chair
• Jason Norris – Deloitte
• Neil Murphy – Lloyds TSB
• Mayur Murali – Graduate Apprentice 2008
• Geoff Guerin – BHSF & Birmingham Future Membership Team
• Gareth Morgan – Turner Townsend & Birmingham Future Membership Team

The team would like to thank everyone in advance for their very kind donations which will go a long way towards the fantastic cause that is Birmingham Foundation.  

Three weeks from thirteen miles

With thousands of people today competing in the Great North Run, a selection of Birmingham Future Members are looking forward to Birmingham’s first ever half marathon, taking place three weeks today on the 26th October.  Around 10 members of Birmingham Future will be joining forces to run and raise money for the Birmingham Foundation, a local organisation focussed on the regeneration of local communites in the area.

With the 13.1 miles being only three weeks away, training should now be going well but the weather and work pressures have meant that some are still far from being in top shape.  However, come the day, all of those competing aim to complete the course and raise important funds for this very worthwhile charity.

You can donate to the Birmingham Future Team through their dedicated page, where you can also find a little more about the Birmingham Foundation.

If you are a member of Birmingham Future running the half marathon and want to join the team, simply leave a comment and someone will get back to you.

Coming Up

October is a busy month for Birmingham Future, with plenty for all interests to get involved with.  Below is a short list of some of the events that the blog hopes to cover, and that should you want to, you can attend.

• Meet & Mix Lunch – 1st October –  Peter Rees-Steer, talks about how young leaders can, and are making a difference in the city.  The meet & mix lunches are one of the most popular events run by Future, and with the Birmingham Young Inspiring Leader speaking, its sure to be a sell out.
• New Graduates Welcome Event – 8th October – A chance for this year’s new graduates across the city and from all areas of the professional services sector, to meet, network and be welcomed into the city. 
• Speed Networking – 9th October – Its like speed dating for your business.  3 minutes, some drinks, some canapes.  Held at Bluu on Summer Row.
• Birmingham Half Marathon – 26th October – Birmingham Future’s team are deep into training for the city’s first half marathon, all in aid of the Birmingham Foundation.  If you don’t want to run, then come along and support.  You can donate to the Future Team here.

As you can see, its another month of fantastic networking opportunities with Birmingham Future.  If you want to know more about becoming a member, or you want to attend one of the events, then you can contact the office by calling 0121 632 2200 or by email:  info@birminghamforward.co.uk.