Organisers are hoping to run up a healthy fundraising total when the third Redditch Kingfisher 10K returns to the town’s streets, in October.

Proceeds from the race, staged by Raceways Events CIC, will once again benefit Friends of Isaac’s Food Bank as well as a new charity partner for this year, Safeline.

Starting and finishing in the town centre, the race takes in elements of the Kingfisher Trail and builds on the success of other local Raceways events.

The event also runs alongside a Family Fun Day, between 9.30-1pm, organised by The BID, with a host of activities including face painting, rides and circus skills.

Raceways spokesperson Kirsty Leahy, said: “We are thrilled to announce the return of the Redditch Kingfisher 10K on October 27th. It’s a race not to be missed!

“The last couple of years have been brilliant and we are thrilled to be bringing this back again. We can’t wait to team up with Redditch BID who have been staging amazing events in the town. We’re very much looking forward to the street festival again, back for 2024!”  

There is also a free to enter 1K Kids Fun Run which starts and ends next to the adult finish line, with all the children receiving a free medal as a proud memento of their day.

Finishers’ medals, chip timing and post-race snacks are available for all participants as well as the opportunity to purchase race photographs. Race T-shirts are optional this year, in order to try and do their small part to reduce waste going to landfill. 

Friends of Isaac’s Food Bank was started by nine-year-old Isaac Winfield from a pop-up greenhouse on the driveway of his home in 2020. It has now expanded to five locations around Redditch and has sent out over 2,500 food parcels already this year. The charity has also helped hundreds of local families receive toys at Christmas.

Isaac’s mum Claire Simmons, said: “Isaac is incredibly excited to be joining Raceways for the Redditch 10k again this year. Last year was fantastic and the money raised help towards the costs of his 5th food bank that opened at Christmas and has benefitted the community of Church Hill enormously. This year is going to be even bigger and better and Isaac feels honoured to have been chosen to partner again.”

Established in 1994, Safeline is a specialist charity that works to prevent sexual violence and abuse and offer specialist tailored support to those affected. 

Main activities of the charity include providing: Prevention/Early Intervention services; counselling and therapeutic support to survivors of sexual violence; independent, emotional and practical support; and education and training to prevent and address sexual violence and abuse. 

CEO of Safeline, Neil Henderson, said: “Every step towards the finish line is another step towards breaking down the barriers around seeking help after sexual abuse and rape.”

Race entry can be booked here. 

And local companies interested in getting involved by volunteering or through sponsorship, are invited to contact Kirsty at: kirsty@raceways.org.uk 

Redditch BID manager, Muj Rahman, said: “We’re thrilled to be once again co-hosting the Redditch Kingfisher 10k. This event presents a fantastic opportunity to showcase Redditch as a vibrant and active community.”

You have the option of entering for free when you hit a £100 fundraising target! Registration for both the Redditch Kingfisher 10K and the Kids 1km Fun Run, will open on: Saturday 26th October 12–4pm in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre and Sunday, 27th October 7am –8.30am at race HQ at Market Place, Redditch, B98 8AR. Look out for the Redditch BID gazebo!