September 1st was the one of those rare days to experience the invigorating event of the Cavers Wolverhampton Half Marathon Events (CWHME). This was one of the days yet to be seen in the number of years that the little group from Bilston SDA Church have been supporting.
The CWHME has become a regular fixture in the City’s calendar. It comprises of a number of events that brings hundreds, if not a thousand people from across all paths of life to the city in a clash of colour, enthusiasm and good spirit.
In 1998, the late Roy Carver (Carvers Chairman) together with Ivan Savage (then Carvers Group Sales Director), came up with a plan to put the Wolverhampton Marathon back on the City events programme.
The Marathon was later joined by a Half Marathon and a Relay Challenge. Hugh Porter together with his wife Anita have been loyal supporters of the Marathon events and with Hugh’s guidance and expertise, the family cycle ride was introduced.
The Organisers were delighted when Cousins Furniture joined the list of Sponsors and adopted the 20K cycle ride. After listening to feedback from participants an additional 10K cycle ride has now been introduced.
A mini marathon for children was then introduced, which has continued to grow in numbers each year.
Former British National Cycling Champion Hugh Porter, The Lady Mayoress Claire Darke, Henry Carver, radio broadcastor Dicky Dodd at the 2019 start of the 20k Cycling Event
In 2013 the organisers decided to remove the “dwindling” relay challenge and replace it with a 10K race. An ever popular distance, this has grown and is sponsored by Banks’s Brewery and aptly named the Banks’s 10K.
With the addition of the Call Print Walk in the Park, the organisers felt there was now something for every age and ability. The Walk in the Park takes place inside West Park at the same time as the running events. The emphasis remains very much on family participation and exercise in the Community.
Some of the charities supported by the CWHME over the years:
- The Haven Wolverhampton, The Birch Thompson Memorial Fund, Wolverhampton Fostercare Association, The Steve Bull Foundation, The Mayoral Charity Fund.
- Wolves Community Trust, St John Ambulance, Penn Hall School, The Mayoral Charities
- Midland Air Ambulance, Compton Hospice, Sunnyside Kennels, The Mayoral Charities.
- Compton Hospice
- West Park Stroke Cycling Group, Broadmeadow Special School, The Mayoral Charities.
2018
- Compton Hospice
- Give us a Break Wolverhampton
- Wolverhampton & Bilston Athletics Club
- Mayoral Charity Fund
2019
- Compton Care
- Scouts Wolverhampton East
- Pdsa
- Radio Wulfrun
There were some heart cheering stories of sacrifice and pain by participants and their urge to give back to the charities supported for their victories. Among this crowd of supporters and fun lovers participating were Clarence, Otis and Michael on their bicycles riding the 20k, just 12 ½ miles some would say, but there is no doubt that was no small feat for Otis and Clarence! There was even a few members from a sister Church there too.
As noted earlier, this was the best day ever, and although the number of people there was not as large as last year, it made the ride a bit safer. Otis quickly took the lead in what was decidedly not a race, but was a race for some. He finished in a time of 59 minutes with Clarence and Michael 3 minutes later. It was great fun for everyone.
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