Morale-boosting marathon unites Aldridge cul-de-sac residents
Residents in a Walsall cul-de-sac gave each other a run for their money this week, when they held a charity street marathon to boost local morale during the coronavirus crisis.
People in Whitehouse Way, Aldridge, came up with the fundraising idea of running laps around their street as a way of lifting residents’ spirits during lockdown – and invited all their neighbours to join in the fun.
More than 50 people took part, with runners clocking up 135 miles during the day-long event – raising more than £2, 300 for the town’s Acorns Children’s Hospice, which has been struggling as a result of the virus.
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Mark Hinton, who helped to organise the marathon, said: “It was absolutely fantastic. We had residents aged from nine months to 90 taking part.
“The first runners started at 8.45am and the last ones finished at 6pm. We originally set out to complete 26 miles and raise £260, but everyone in the street was so enthusiastic and wanted to join in.
“There was was a real community buzz about the whole day and it brought everyone together. People were taking part in fancy dress and we even had members of Aldridge Running Club turning up to take part.
“It was a great day and we feel we all know each other a lot better now, which is nice. A lot of the residents who weren’t running brought chairs out onto their front laws and cheered us all on.
“Obviously we had to keep to social distancing guidelines so there were no ‘high-fives’, but the day was so good that we’re now thinking of making it a yearly tradition,” he added.
“Everyone here has also agreed that once the lockdown is lifted we are going to celebrate with a proper street party.”
Donations to the cause can still be made at justgiving.com/whitehouse-way-marathon
