From one to 101: Maccabi GB Community Fun Run goes the distance

A 101-year-old war veteran and toddlers taking part in their first community race were among thousands gathered on Sunday for the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run.

Held at StoneX Stadium, the annual event, powered by Charity Extra, brought together families, schools, charities and community organisations from across the country, turning one of the biggest dates in the Jewish communal calendar into a celebration of Jewish life, community and fundraising.

Among those taking part was Second World War veteran Mervyn Kersh, who completed the 1km route in support of AJEX, the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women.

The sight of participants ranging from one to 101 years old was singled out by Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis as one of the reasons the event remains so special.

“The Maccabi GB Fun Run is my favourite event in the British Jewish calendar,” he told Jewish News.

“We’ll see today, Mervyn Kersh, at the age of 101, a veteran from the Second World War, together with tiny little kids, all participating in this one-kilometre event. It’s just amazing.

“We can be so proud to be Jewish, and our values are here to be seen.”

But the Fun Run was about far more than crossing a finish line. Participants took on a range of challenges throughout the day, from the family-friendly 1km event to the 5km walk, 5km run and 10km race. Away from the courses, families filled the stadium’s festival zone, with bouncy castles, inflatables, rides, arts and crafts and children’s activities, creating a carnival atmosphere. Performances from the Israeli Dance Institute, Vanessa Class School of Dance and the Rimon Jewish Primary School Choir kept crowds entertained, while kosher food vendors kept runners and spectators fuelled throughout the afternoon.

The annual event brought together 85 charities from across the community, including AJEX, Camp Simcha, Jewish Care, Jami, World Jewish Relief and Keshet UK. For many runners, the day marked the culmination of months of fundraising, while charities highlighted the impact of their work.

For Michael Wegier, chief executive of the Board of Deputies, the day represented something particularly important at a challenging time for the community.

“This is one of the flagship events of the British Jewish community,” he told Jewish News.

“It’s really important that people have come out in such big numbers for a positive event, a positive experience, and not because we have to, but because we want to.

“It’s shining a light on vibrant Jewish life in a way that is kind of undermined nowadays by all the antisemitism.”

Among the largest teams was Camp Simcha, which supports Jewish families with seriously ill children. The charity brought 63 runners to the event and raised nearly £12,000.

One of them was Sofia Leigh, whose family has been supported by Camp Simcha for the past six years.

Her mother, Ilana, said: “Sofia did the Bat Mitzvah programme this year but missed out on the sponsored walk due to being on Camp Simcha Sibling Retreat. She desperately wanted to find another way to raise money for Camp Simcha after everything they’ve done for her, and so we decided to do the community fun run. It was an honour to run for Camp Simcha – their support for us has been immeasurable.”

Another Camp Simcha family, Aryeh Hecht and daughters Lily-Rose and Naavah, also took part.

“We just wanted a chance to give back a little,” said mum Shaina. “We had the best time even in the heat!”

Jewish Care and Jami were represented by 46 runners aged between three and 76. Among them was 11-year-old Georgia, who completed the 5km race as part of Jewish Care’s B’nei Mitzvah programme.

Meanwhile, Jonathan and Caroline raised more than £2,500 for Jewish Care after completing the 10km route.

“The level of care is exceptional,” Jonathan said. “From reception to the care teams, everyone is dedicated and a pleasure to speak with. I cannot think of a better place for my mum in the final stages of her life.”

Chai Cancer Care also fielded one of the largest teams on the day, with 81 runners raising £11,345. Supporters wore the charity’s new arrow-shaped headbands as they took part in races across the stadium.

Elsewhere, World Jewish Relief used the day to highlight its work supporting vulnerable communities overseas, including in Ukraine. Visitors were invited to write messages of hope that will be delivered to children affected by the war, while the charity also raised awareness of its ongoing humanitarian programmes.

Keshet UK was also among the organisations represented at the event. Luke Levine, Keshet UK’s Head of Community Life, said the charity works to ensure LGBTQ+ Jews feel welcomed and included within communal life.

“Jewish people are becoming more and more diverse,” he said. “If you want people to stay, you have to have a place for them.”

Back at the AJEX stand, Mervyn Kersh’s daughter reflected on her father’s latest achievement.

“It’s just one of the many things he does all the time,” she told Jewish News. “You have to keep a leash on him.”

She added: “I’m so proud.”

Speaking after the event, Maccabi GB chief executive Ashley Lerner said the turnout had sent a powerful message.

“At a time when some may have expected our community to stay away, stay indoors or keep its head down, the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run proved the opposite,” he said.

“It was a day of fun, fundraising and a community full of smiles.

“I truly believe that together we showed what it means to be one Jewish community, moving, giving and celebrating together.”

As the afternoon heat began to ease, medal-wearing children posed for photographs, families queued for one last ride, and volunteers began packing away stalls after a day of fundraising and celebration. Nearby, Mervyn Kersh was still drawing admirers, having once again become one of the standout figures of the day.

For thousands who spent Sunday at StoneX Stadium, the day was a reminder of the community at its best – coming together not because it had to, but because it wanted to.