University News Last updated 21 March 2018
A world record-breaker will join hundreds of students, staff and alumni at Birmingham City University are coming together to take on the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10k on Sunday 6 May.
The University is aiming to sign up an all-inclusive team of 400 runners, joggers and walkers as part of a partnership between the institution and race organisers, The Great Run Company.
Joining the ‘BCU 400’ will be Birmingham City University student Alistair Rutherford – a.k.a. The Running Viola – who has run both the fastest marathon and half marathon while dressed as a musical instrument.
Alistair Rutherford said:
“I am delighted to be able to take part in the Birmingham 10k and to be able to do it as part of the Birmingham City University team and I want to encourage students, staff and alumni to join us on this exciting journey.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced runner or not, this is an opportunity for us all to come together and have fun.”
Academics from the new Sports and Exercise Science courses at the University have been at the forefront of bespoke training programmes that have been arranged to support those who have signed up to be part of the ‘BCU 400’.
Training programmes include a series of running and walking plans from a six-week period to 16 weeks.
These programmes are being led by coaches fromBCU Sport, an initiative which launched last year to support and develop sport from participation through to elite level for students. BCU Sport utilises the support of academic experts who lead on the new Sport and Exercise Science degrees, as well as cutting edge facilities for students to study and train in.
Alistair Rutherford is also one of eight students who have also been awarded scholarships with BCU Sport, which support scholar’s sporting achievements alongside their studies.
The BCU Sport Scholarship includes a support package for elite athletes that covers areas such as strength and conditioning, sport science, nutrition, sport therapy, psychology, lifestyle and mentoring. 
Alistair Rutherford set two Guinness World Records in 2017 in his viola costume as part of fundraising activities for the collaborative UK-South African project, Cape Gate MIAGI Centre for Music & Birmingham Conservatoire – or ARCO.
ARCO has seen 24 strings students aged between eight and 17 in South Africa selected to participate in weekly instrumental Skype lessons, given by academics, current students and alumni of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University and where Alistair studies.
ARCO aims to provide the benefits and life changing inspiration of music to children in the most deprived of circumstances. As well as providing transformative music education activities, Conservatoire staff and students – including Alistair – have been acting as role models for vulnerable youngsters living in Soweto, a Johannesburg township deeply affected by poverty and crime.