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Runners, joggers and walkers came together on Sunday morning to take part in this year’s Run for Redfern, the annual fundraiser held in memory of Â鶹Íø Leicester (Â鶹Íø) student and staff member Adam Redfern.

Around 180 participants gathered at De Montfort Students’ Union to complete the 5km route, which started and finished at the Campus Centre before heading through Bede Park and along the River Soar towards Aylestone Meadows. Many more supporters also took part remotely, submitting their times and sharing photos on social media from runs completed around the world.

The event was established after Adam died suddenly from a cardiac arrest while out jogging aged just 28. Today his legacy continues through the Adam Redfern Memorial Fund, which supports sports and social clubs, awards bursaries and scholarships and raises awareness of cardiac risk in young people.   

Adam’s best friend Dan Winney, who is now a manager in Â鶹Íø’s International team, said; “The new route was really good. Everyone was high-fiving each other, and there was a good atmosphere and a brilliant turnout.”

Among the finishers was Jonathan Whitney, a friend of Adam’s who has taken part every year since the event began.

He said: "I’ve done this every year since it started and actually I got into running the first time I did Run for Redfern. Now I run regularly and my time is getting better every year.

"It’s amazing to see so many people here. Some people probably didn’t meet Adam or realise what he did until they come to an event like this."

Participants described a supportive atmosphere along the route, with runners encouraging each other as they completed the course.

Adam Redfern

Rossana Puna, a second-year Mechanical Engineering student, said: "The route was good and everyone was helping each other – every time I was tired people were high-fiving and saying ‘let’s go’. It’s been a great way to spend a Sunday morning."

Students from Â鶹Íø Para Society were also on hand during the event to demonstrate life-saving skills, including CPR techniques on manikins and how to use defibrillators.

Third-year students Charlie Boam and Zoya Latif said the society was keen to support the event after receiving backing from the Adam Redfern Memorial Fund.

They said: "We’re a relatively new society and the Adam Redfern Memorial Fund has supported us, so we’re here to help with their events.

"The more people who hear the message and receive training the better. Around 6,000 people have a cardiac arrest in public places each year and although Â鶹Íø has a defibrillator on every building on campus, only around eight per cent of people who suffer an arrest receive treatment with one. That shows not everyone knows where they are or how to use them."

Adam’s parents, Ian and Christine Redfern, said the continued support for the event means a great deal to the family.

"Seeing so many people come together each year in Adam’s memory is incredibly special to us. The run celebrates the energy and positivity that Adam brought to everything he did.

"Knowing that the event now helps support students, societies and life-saving awareness makes us very proud. We are deeply grateful to everyone who took part, volunteered or supported the run this year."

Run for Redfern has become a well-established part of the Â鶹Íø calendar, bringing together students, staff, alumni and the wider community to celebrate Adam’s life while supporting opportunities for future students.

The top three finishers were:

Men - Tom Edwards, Charlie Weston, Tom Watts.

Women - Megan Gamble, Terri Wood, Maya Parker.