On Sunday 5th October, our annual event took place at Sutton Park in what was another successful, inclusive celebration of sport and community. The event was open to everyone who wanted to take part, with options to run various lengths, including 1km, 5km, and 10km. On the crisp autumn morning, our participants bravely battled the cold air and gave it their all — and we couldn’t have been prouder of everyone who participated and those who came to support.
The Sutton Park Challenge is truly a unique race, not only because of the beautiful setting but also because of its strong commitment to inclusivity. We are passionate about welcoming and encouraging everyone to take part, regardless of ability, age, or experience. Our goal is to create an event where all participants feel valued, supported, and motivated to enjoy the day. We were thrilled to see a wide range of people come together to participate in the event. Some of our athletes were frequent runners who chose to challenge themselves by running solo around the park, while many others ran with their dogs, families, and children.
There were several wheelchair users who participated together with their family and friends around the hilly course, highlighting the spirit of support and inclusivity that defined this day. People were also able to cycle along the route in either an accessible bike or trike if they wished. The event was suitable for everyone to join, and the route followed paths around Sutton Park that were accessible for both runners and cyclists.
Before the Challenge began, participants were busy warming up and getting ready with the support of friends and family, helping to create a warm, welcoming community atmosphere. There was a tent where athletes could register and receive their race numbers, and a coffee van offering hot and cold drinks for people to enjoy. The atmosphere was filled with positivity and excitement as people began to line up at the start line, surrounded by the cheerful encouragement of supporters. Running Marshalls both led and followed the race to ensure everyone stayed on the correct path, felt safe, and received any medical attention if needed. Their presence helped maintain a smooth, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for all involved.
Our staff and volunteers were stationed at various points along the course to help direct participants and provide encouragement throughout the event. The atmosphere was incredibly friendly, with words of support and motivation shared by staff, volunteers, and participants alike. At the finish line, families, friends, and supporters eagerly waited for our athletes to complete the event. As each person crossed the finish line, waves of cheers and applause erupted, congratulating them on their success. It was a deeply emotional moment for many, as participants, filled with pride and satisfaction, were reunited with their friends and family and presented with their well-earned medals.
After the 5km and 10km events had concluded, the participants of the 1km Challenge began to line up in preparation. This run was designed to be accessible for everyone, with children making up the majority of participants. There was an overwhelming sense of pride and joy from friends, families, and supporters as these young athletes set off on their run. Just like the other Challenges, the finish line was filled with friendly faces ready to celebrate their achievements — making it a memorable moment for everyone involved.
This year’s Sutton Park Challenge once again captured our mission to promote inclusivity and create opportunities for everyone to get involved. We want to congratulate every participant for your enormous achievement — we are so proud of you! And a huge thank you to all the supporters who came along to cheer — your enthusiasm and encouragement helped make the day so special.
Photo’s by Stephen Lee’s Images and James Rogers
Written by Ella, Student Intern
Despite a light drizzle, over a hundred determined runners, joggers, walkers, and wheelers gathered in Sutton Park to take on Midland Mencap’s Sutton Park Challenge, and what a day it was!
The energy was high from the start, with the exciting 5k and 10k races kicking off at 10am, followed by the family-friendly 1k at 11:30am. Each participant, from seasoned racers to first-time walkers, showed amazing determination and heart throughout the day.
A standout moment of the day was seeing Elisha and Billy, riding their accessible bikes with parkride, joining the 5k and 10k participants for the first time. Their enthusiasm and grit perfectly captured the spirit of inclusivity and community that the Sutton Park Challenge represents.
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who took part. Whether you were chasing a personal best, enjoying a scenic walk, or taking on the hills with friends, your involvement helps make a real difference for people with learning disabilities and their families across the West Midlands. Together, we are building a future where everyone is valued, included, and empowered.
Equally, a special thank you goes to our incredible volunteer marshals. Whether you were guiding runners, cheering them on, assisting in the car park or race village, or contributing your time and skills in other ways, you played an essential role in making this day a success. Your dedication and support kept everything running smoothly, and we hope you’re proud of the impact you made. We simply couldn’t have done it without you!
Be sure to check out your race times and browse through the amazing photos from the event. These memories will stay with us, and so will the positive impact you’ve made!
Missed this year’s event or already excited for the next one?
You won’t have to wait long! We’ll be announcing the date for next year’s Sutton Park Challenge in January. Whether you run, jog, walk, or wheel, we’ve got a spot for you, and we can’t wait to welcome you again!
Thank you again for your incredible support. We are already looking forward to seeing you next year!
Join us on the Citizen Chat Podcast as Ashleigh sits down with Sarah Lilly from Cerebral Palsy Midlands to discuss the unique and inspiring journey of growing up as a young carer for her sister. From the daily challenges her family faced to the impact it has had on her professional career, Sarah shares valuable insights and experiences that will leave you feeling moved and motivated.
Watch Here:
As a voice for learning disability as we approach the 2019 General Election we are asking politicians, irrelevant of their political beliefs, to prioritise and address the following ten issues during the lifetime of the next Parliament:
• To urgently publish a comprehensive, progressive and sustainable set of proposals to deliver a world class social care offer to all citizens, irrelevant of age, who require its support
• To commit to funding this offer and enter into a conversation with all of us as to how this will be paid for, even if this requires additional, fairly applied taxation
• To broaden the public conversation about what social care is so that it’s not simply polarised around supporting an ageing population
• That the next parliament will commit to ending, once and for all, the national shame of the incarceration and detention of vulnerable citizens simply because they have a learning disability or autism
• That the next parliament will commit to addressing the discriminatory health inequalities faced by people with a learning disability, that leads to shortened lives and unnecessary deaths
• That the next parliament will work to ensure that disability hate crime is given the same credence and scrutiny as other forms of discrimination and hate as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• That the next parliament will work with people with a learning disability and devise a fully funded national pathway to employment that also ensures all employers are reporting on the recruitment and retention of disabled employees
• That the next parliament recognises family carers as the nations key strategic workforce and delivers a framework of fully funded support that recognises and rewards the commitment of caring
• That the next parliament commits to funding and reforming a regulatory body that retains public confidence and ensures that all housing, care and support provision available is safe, delivered to promote a lifestyle of choice, and that the citizen’s voice is central to its delivery
• That the next Government commits that the post holders to the portfolios of Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health is the same person for the lifetime of parliament
Friday 14th of this month it was Midland Mencaps 70th birthday to celebrate it was a party at the town hall with dance and bands and choirs. I was asked to be the host for the event and without hesitation I said yes, as it would be a really great evening of entertainment and celebration. I also felt really privileged that they trusted me with doing the role as it was in front of 500 people! Sometimes I do panic under pressure but because I can improvise due to my past acting skills it flowed really well.
I didn’t want to let anyone down and considering when I got there and given a script a few hours before to help I felt butterflies in my stomach as I did the walk on to where I would be going on the night and what colour my microphone was. The building was really beautiful and I was looked after by Chris Proctor and all the other staff who made me feel really at ease at the job I was going to do when the show started. It was a really good night I am so proud and glad I did it.
Being with everyone, dancing with all my friends plus all in Midland Mencap they are all my family. Talking to Geared about are ongoing rivalry, sitting on the stage with the acts gave me a huge buzz as I was able to really soak in what was a really good night to celebrate Midland Mencap. Who knows maybe I’ll get to host another event as it was a moment I’ll treasure.
I do wear my heart on my sleeve only because I want to show that whatever you want to go for you can do it.
You can see all the pictures from the Birmingham Big Noise here
Tom Kirby – Midland Mencap Ambassador
Here at Midland Mencap we are always looking to increase participation in physical activity! The SEDY (Sport Empowers Disabled Youth) project is an EU Erasmus+ funded project that aims to contribute to increased physical activity of children with SEND, through a better matching of the demand and the supply of sport/hobbies. Take a look at the survey below;
https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=146237057453