‘First Brum, Next The World’ For Carter

 

Darren Carter has announced ambitious plans to run the world!

 

But don’t get the wrong impression. The former West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City midfielder is NOT embarking on a power-hungry political career.

 

He has instead revealed a secret passion for running – although he doubts he will ever be ‘first past the post’!

 

Darren, currently embroiled in a survival battle with Solihull Moors in the Vanarama National League, will tackle his first-ever running event on Sunday, May 6 – the increasingly popular Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10k.

 

The 34-year-old sees the 6.2-mile challenge as the stepping stone for greater things, having revealed his long-term plans to run long distance events across the globe when he hangs up his boots.

 

Completing the annual Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run half marathon and Birmingham International Marathon are future targets.

 

He is also keen to test himself further afield, with the New York marathon also on his hitlist.

 

“I’m really looking forward to the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10k,” said ‘Carts’, who is also an Academy coach at Solihull Moors.

 

“I’ve never run this far in one go before and entering my first running event in my home city will be special.

 

“I’ve run further than 10k during a day of pre-season training and over the course of a match, but that’s in intervals.

 

“I’m buzzing to do it, it should be great fun, but I’ll also be testing myself over the distance.

 

“I’ll be training properly as I like to push myself and I’ll be looking to get around the route as quickly as possible.”

 

Darren will join thousands of runners in ‘throwing some shapes’ at the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10k start-line as each starting wave will warm up to music from four different decades – 80s, 90s, 00s and today’s tunes.

 

The event, described as a great training run for those taking on the half marathon or marathon, starts in Birmingham city centre before taking runners and walkers past sights such as the Selfridges building, Cannon Hill Park and Edgbaston Stadium.

 

Darren, who brought a successful end to Blues’ play-off ‘run’ by converting a nerve-jangling decisive spot-kick at the Millennium Stadium final in 2002, is hoping there is still plenty of mileage left in his playing career.

 

But when he does call it day, he’ll most certainly remain active.

 

“Entering running events is something I’ve always thought about,” he added.

 

“Because of my playing career, I’ve never really been able to consider it before, but the Great Birmingham 10k falls just outside of our season, which is great.

 

“Hopefully, I can continue playing for another two, three, four seasons but when I hang up my boots, I’ll look to do the Great Birmingham Run half marathon and progress from there.

 

“Running marathons around the UK and across the world is something I’m really interested in doing.”