Birmingham’s most colourful fun run, Rainbow Rush, is returning to Cofton Park on Saturday 19 September 2026.
Participants can opt for a 2.5km or 5km route – including a Zumba warmup, a giant paint throw, dance tunnels, bubbles and foam.
As well as providing a fun-filled day for all the family, Rainbow Rush will be raising vital funds for an award-winning charity, supporting the specialist care Birmingham Hospice provides for local people living with a terminal diagnosis, and their loved ones.
Joe Caswell took part in last year’s event, and has firsthand experience of the hospice’s vital work. In 2014, both his father and grandmother were admitted to the Selly Park Inpatient Unit at the same time – something the team there had never experienced before.
“It was a terrible time,” Joe shared. “My dad was diagnosed with cancer in February 2014, then my nan a few months later. My grandad suffered a heart attack not long after. My mum lost both her parents and her husband within six weeks – Dad was only 47, it was so hard.”
Throughout that unimaginable period, the hospice team went above and beyond to support Joe and his family.
“They were amazing – so caring and compassionate. They understood how young we were and how difficult it was. Some of the nurses even came to my dad’s funeral, and I’m still in touch with one of them today. She still checks in from time to time.”
Since then, Joe and his family have made it their mission to give back to the hospice that cared for them and their loved ones.
“We made a conscious effort 11 years ago that we were going to frame the loss of our nan and dad by remembering them positively and giving back,” Joe said. “We’ve moved forward, not moved on – because you never really move on from people who were such a big part of your life.
“For us, Rainbow Rush wasn’t just about running a race,” Joe said. “It was about celebrating life, remembering loved ones, and supporting a cause that means the world to so many of us.
“We all enjoyed Rainbow Rush so much, it was fantastic to get together and involve our families too. The event was so well organised and brilliant for the children – they loved being sprayed with colour around the course! We managed to raise over £1,300 for Birmingham Hospice at the same time.”
Kimberley Williams, Event Manager at Birmingham Hospice, said: “We’re incredibly excited for this year’s Rainbow Rush and to see the community come together in support of such an important cause.
“Events like this make a huge difference to the hospice, helping ensure vital care and support can continue for local families when they need it most.”
This year, it is estimated it could cost £20 million to run Birmingham Hospice. They need to raise £8 million through fundraising activity, income from shops and voluntary donations to cover the costs of running the charity.
The sponsorship raised by Rainbow Rush participants will therefore be essential for the 670 patients the hospice has in its care on average each day.
Through holding events like Rainbow Rush, Birmingham Hospice and its supporters continue to make every moment matter for families like Joe’s.
To find out more and to sign up, please visit the Birmingham Hospice website: https://fundraise.birminghamhospice.org.uk/event/rainbow-rush
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