Thousands celebrate communal solidarity at Maccabi GB Fun Run - The Jewish Chronicle

Thousands of athletes of all ages gathered at StoneX Stadium for the annual Maccabi GB Community Fun Run on Sunday, the largest communal event in the UK Jewish calendar.

⁬Kisharon Langdon member, Charlotte, with mascot Lev the Lion (Photo: Kisharon Langdon)[Missing Credit]

With 98 charities involved, this year’s event saw one of the biggest turnouts in its history, offering "a poignant and powerful reminder of the strength, resilience and unity of the Jewish community”, said organisers.

One of Chana's youngest Maccabi Fun Run participants! (Photo: Chana)[Missing Credit]

Each run began with the sound of the shofar, bringing together people of all ages and abilities to take part in the 1km, 5km and 10km runs, as well as family walks.

Jewish Women's Aid CEO Sam Clifford and family at Maccabi Fun Run (Photo: JWA)[Missing Credit]

Alongside the sporting element, attendees enjoyed a family fun zone sponsored by JNF UK, which featured a variety of attractions, including the ever-popular teacups fairground ride, climbing wall, inflatables, glitter tattoos, as well as a police van and ambulance for children to explore.

Jewish Blind & Disabled fundraisers at the Maccabi Fun Run: Livi & Woolf with parents Antony & Susannah (Photo: JBD)[Missing Credit]

Attendees also enjoyed performances throughout the day by the Vanessa Class School of Dance and the Israeli Dance Institute.

Speaking after the event, Maccabi GB chief executive Ashley Lerner said: “The Maccabi GB Community Fun Run has always been a key date in the communal calendar, but this Sunday felt especially meaningful.”

Ellie and Sophie ran 5k to support Jewish Care (Photo: Jewish Care)[Missing Credit]

"Thousands of us from across the Jewish community of Great Britain came together to celebrate our identity, show solidarity with the people of Israel and stand united as one community. Now, more than ever, it is vital that we cherish and celebrate all that makes our Jewish community so special.”

Paticipants who ran for the Jewish Family Centre (Photo: Jewish Family Centre)[Missing Credit]

Leading the 1km run this year were 150 Team Maccabi GB athletes, managers and staff, marching behind the Maccabiah Games torch, held by general team manager Andrew Myers.

Norwood community development manager Ruth Korel showed Hendon MP David Pinto-Duschinsky around Norwood’s educational sensory pod, which was on site at the Maccabi Fun Run for the first time (Photo: Norwood)[Missing Credit]

Lerner added: “The Maccabi GB Community Fun Run 2025 was not only a day of sport, community, fun and fundraising - it was a vibrant celebration of Jewish pride, collective spirit, and unwavering communal support. In these challenging times, it served as a powerful reminder that when we come together, we are stronger.”

(l-r) Adam and Leo Axelrod-Harash, Leo Silver, Theo and Greg Weingarten at Maccabi Fun Run, who were runnning for Chai Cancer Care and CST[Missing Credit]

Team Maccabi was due to travel to the Games in Israel on July 6, but due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Maccabiah has been postponed to 2026.

Chai Cancer Care runners at Maccabi Fun Run (Photo: Chai Cancer Care)[Missing Credit]

Preparations are already underway for next year’s Games, which promise to be a powerful celebration of Jewish peoplehood through the lens of sport.

This summer, Maccabi GB will also see 60 young participants and their dedicated staff representing Great Britain at the JCC Maccabi Campus Games in Pittsburgh.

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