No flowing robes for bishop in half-marathon race

The Bishop of Birmingham will be running in a half-marathon through the city on Sunday – but he'll be in his running gear, not his robes.

The Right Reverend Dr Michael Volland, who will be among 16,000 people taking to the streets for the sold-out Great Birmingham Run, is a keen runner and surfboarder and is currently training for his 17th ultramarathon.

His first taste of running was when he was at school but he said he didn't start properly until he was in his mid-40s.

"I like the sense of freedom that comes from just leaving your house and running down the street," he said. "I value the space."

Dr Volland said that after a run, he feels more mentally alert, has a sense of inner peace and calm, and is "generally more joyful".

Encouraging other people to take up running, he said: "You don't have to run far or fast. Even 20 minutes down the road and back can be a positive thing and will make a difference."

The clergyman's run this year will raise money for charity Thrive Together Birmingham which, he said, does "a brilliant job of supporting people on the margins".

Dr Volland issued a picture showing him holding pink, white and black trainers and wearing matching clerical attire, but he said: "I will be aiming for a reasonable time, so will be in my running gear and not my robes!"

Organisers said the race had sold out after thousands of participants, from first-time runners to experienced half-marathoners took up the challenge.

The route starts at Centenary Square and visits areas including the Jewellery Quarter, St Paul's Square, the Mailbox, Grand Central, Edgbaston and Cannon Hill Park.

Paul Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company, said: "Birmingham has an amazing energy and the support on the streets is always second to none."

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