Community Fun Run 2026 ‘One Jewish community: moving, giving, celebrating together’

London, 22nd June 2026: Thousands of people gathered at StoneX Stadium on Sunday 21st June for the annual Maccabi GB Community Fun Run powered by Charity Extra, the largest communal event in the UK Jewish calendar.

With 85 charities from across the community taking part, the event was a powerful demonstration

of the generosity and incredible community spirit that underpin Jewish communal life, while shining a light on the vital work of the charities involved.

Each race began to the sound of the shofar, bringing together people of all ages and abilities for the 1km, 5km and 10km runs, alongside the 5km walk. From runners and volunteers to entertainers, families and spectators, the stadium was full of energy, smiles and celebration.

In the already warm morning, personal trainer Emma Bord led the runners’ warm-up before handing over to the official 10km and 5km race starter, Sir Ken Olisa OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London. Sir Ken shared His Majesty The King’s warm wishes and expressed his support and

solidarity with the Jewish community.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, who started the 1km race, told the more than 1,000 participants waiting at the start line that the Community Fun Run was his “favourite event of the year”. The 1km brought together participants aged from one to 101.

At 101 years old, D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh was the oldest participant of the 1km race, raising funds for AJEX, the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women.

Runners and spectators also enjoyed a lively Family Fun Zone, featuring a climbing wall, inflatables, glitter tattoos and arts and crafts, alongside a Jewish Police Association police car and a Hatzola Herts ambulance for children to explore. Performances throughout the day came from the Vanessa Class School of Dance, the Israeli Dance Institute and Rimon Jewish Primary School Choir.

The event also provided a platform for Jewish small businesses, with stalls selling everything from jewellery, Judaica and books to reflexology, massage treatments and training programmes.

The JLC Charity Fair gave participating charities the opportunity to connect with attendees, share information about their services and engage the community through a range of activities. Kisharon Langdon hosted a sensory room, creating a welcoming space for anyone needing a moment away from the busy atmosphere, while Norwood’s hub beside the Family Fun Zone gave visitors the chance to learn more about its work and the support it provides.

Speaking after the event, Maccabi GB Chief Executive Ashley Lerner said:

“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. 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, celebrating together’. It is an honour for Maccabi GB to deliver this event, but its success has been built by the community, for the community.”

Charity Extra’s partnership has played an important role in the event. As headline sponsor, its technology supported registrations, fundraising pages and Charity Extra Hubs, helping participants raise money for their chosen causes and allowing the Maccabi GB team to focus on delivering the day itself.

Maccabi GB would like to thank all of the generous sponsors who supported this year’s Community Fun Run: Charity Extra, Dare 2b, JLC, Saracens, Israel Bonds, Board of Deputies, EL AL, WeSupportCharities.com, Calo’s Funeral Directors and Ultimate Promotions.

Thanks also go to JVN for providing volunteers, CST for securing the event, and the Jewish News for being this year’s media partner.

The Maccabi GB Community Fun Run 2026 powered by Charity Extra was a day for the community to come together as one, moving, giving and celebrating. Through sport, fun and fundraising, it was a visible expression of Jewish pride and strength at a time when that does not always feel easy.

Please see the Community Fun Run photo gallery here