THE first ever Emerald Mile fun run has been announced to coincide with St Patrick’s Day 2017.
The run will take place on the same day as this year’s Birmingham St Patrick’s Day Parade and was organised thanks to feedback from the local Irish community in the city.
The Emerald Mile will begin at 10am on Sunday, March 12 outside South and City College, taking 250 participants on a two-mile course along the parade.
All money raised through the fun run sponsorship will be donated to a charity of the runner’s choice, and there will be a prize for the best fancy dress outfit.
The £10 sign-up fee will go into keeping the St Patrick’s Parade running smoothly and help safeguard the future of the festival.
The event has been organised by Tiger Bam Communications on behalf of the Birmingham St Patrick’s Festival and Parade and is supported by South and City College.
Birmingham City Council withdrew its funding to the St Patrick’s celebration as part of a number of budget cuts in 2014.
The green-hued celebrations cost over £70,000 to organise every year and are now entirely funded by charitable donations.
Anne Tighe, chair of Birmingham St Patrick’s Festival Organising committee, said: "We are are delighted to announce that the first ever St Patrick’s Parade Day Fun Run will be going ahead.
"The parade is hugely important to so many people, and it is important to us to continue increasing our offering to the Birmingham Irish community each year, despite the recent funding cuts.
"The Emerald Mile will be a great way to begin the celebrations on Parade Day early, and will help raise vital funds for the Parade whilst having plenty of fun.
"We hope lots of people will get involved with the fun fun, whether it is signing up to take part or through sponsoring generously."
The volunteer driven event is now the third biggest St Patrick’s Day Parade in the world.
To sign up to run in the Emerald Mile, visit www.stpatricksbirmingham.com/emerald-mile.
This article was ammended on March 1 at 4.17pm to reflect a new sign-up fee of £10, not £15.
