All over Indonesia the forests are falling silent because the songbirds that once lived there are threatened by extinction. Chester Zoo staff and volunteers are running the Chester Half Marathon on the 21st May to raise funds for vital breeding and release programmes to save the songbirds.

Meet the Runners

Chris

I'm Chris and I am currently a One Year Intern within the Bird Department at the zoo and help to look after a few of the different species of songbirds we have at the zoo, this will be my first Half Marathon and something I have set myself the challenge of completing since taking up running a few years ago. I will feel a great sense of pride to be able to raise funds to help save these Amazing but critically endangered birds.

Sarah-Elizabeth

I’m big sis to Chris, I am running on behalf of the Zoo and to help them raise to awareness for the songbirds. This will be my second half marathon, and even though I have ran for 3 years and I'm also in a running club, half’s will always be a challenge and  I cant wait to run for the zoo.

Abbie

I'm on placement as a bird intern at Chester Zoo. I work closely with Asian songbirds at the zoo and I'm currently involved in a research project to give us a better understanding of the behaviour and welfare of the Javan Green Magpie. I've previously lived life as a couch potato and started running around 5 months ago and this will be my first half marathon.

Please give what you can!

Matt

I have worked with some of these birds here and in Cikananga, the conservation breeding centre so this is a cause very close to my heart and know how much of a difference any money made will make. I have not ran anywhere near this distance before but it's a challenge I am really looking forward to.

Olly

I run the Catering department at Chester Zoo – ensuring all our visitors and staff are fed and watered. I oversee the operation of 14 kiosks, three coffee shops and three restaurants serving over 1.2 million people each year!

One of the unique parts of working at the Zoo is knowing that all your hard work is contributing to good causes and being able to get involved directly in fund raising initiatives such as the 2 challenges I am undertaking this year: the 3 Peaks challenge for Painted dogs and the Chester Half Marathon to save Indonesian Songbirds. The aim is to raise awareness of both causes and hopefully get a little fitter along the journey!

Suzanne

I'm a guest experience supervisor at the zoo, looking after all our guests’ needs and overall site presentation. In addition to the Chester Half, I’m also walking the 3 Peaks challenge this year for Act for Wildlife too. I can run 5K so I will need to increase my distance to over 20K for my first half marathon. With such an important cause behind us, I know we will all be able to make it to the end!

Jon

I'm Head of Guest Experience at Chester Zoo, and am looking forward to completing the Chester half marathon as a team to raise funds for this important cause. I last ran The Great North Run in 2003... and haven't done any running since then so it will definitely be a challenge!

Please give what you can to support.

Ian

I’m Commercial Analyst at Chester Zoo, so deal with anything
to do with data and getting information to people.  It’s an incredible
place to work and I love knowing it’s all for a good cause.

Since joining the zoo 2 years ago, my eyes have been opened
to the amazing conservation work that takes place here.  This has
encouraged me to away from my desk and help support these great causes with Born Survivor and now the Chester Half Marathon.  Hopefully there’ll be many more challenges to come…if I get through this one alive!

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