Dezeen Magazine

HD5K charity run is virtual in 2021

Architect-led charity run HD5K returns with virtual 2021 event

The UK architecture industry's charity run HD5K is going virtual in 2021, calling on people to run or walk five kilometres in their neighbourhoods and raise money to fight motor neurone disease.

HD5K is organised by architectural visualisation studio Hayes Davidson in honour of its founder Alan Davidson, who died of motor neurone disease (MND) in 2018. All money raised goes to the MND Association.

Previously held in London's Hyde Park, the annual event will return on 22 May 2021 with a virtual format, meaning anyone around the world can take part.

Participants are asked to run or walk five kilometres in their local neighbourhoods and submit a donation to the MND Association. There is a minimum donation of £20, with prizes to be won for runners who use the dedicated app.

Runners from the HD5K charity run in 2019
The virtual 2021 event follows on from HD5K 2019 in Hyde Park

"The HD5K has held a special place in all our hearts here at Hayes Davidson, and whilst we would love to be all together this year in Hyde Park again as we did back in 2019, we felt that a virtual run was more appropriate for 2021," said Hayes Davidson joint managing partner David Bullock.

"This is very exciting for us, however, as we are able to open up our invitation to join our run to our entire community worldwide!"

The HD5k event has raised £160,000 for the MND Association since the inaugural run back in 2018. Architects from Zaha Hadid Architects, Heatherwick Studio and AL_A took part in the most recent HD5K in 2019.

Also among the 122 runners that year were Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners director Ivan Harbour, AHMM co-founder Simon Allford, designer Jason Bruges, architect Simon Smithson, and Dezeen's own chief content officer Benedict Hobson and senior Dezeen Awards manager Rebecca Grove.

Ivan Harbour crosses the finish line at the HD5K 2019 run
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners director Ivan Harbour was among the 122 runners in 2019

The Alan Davidson Foundation is coordinating the fundraising and will match donations up to this year's target of £40,000.

Motor neurone disease describes a group of diseases that affect the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing weakness and eventually leading to death.

The MND Association is a charity focused on providing support for people affected by the disease as well as funding research.

"The MND Association is incredibly grateful for the continued support from the Alan Davidson Foundation, Hayes Davidson and the wider architecture and design industry," said MND Association CEO Sally Light.

"I feel lucky to have been part of the HD5K event in 2019 and it was heartening to see so many friends and colleagues joining together in the fight against MND."

Donations for 2021 can be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/campaign/hd5k2021.

Runners and walkers can sign up for the event at www.mndassociation.org/get-involved/fundraising/corporate-fundraising/hd5k-event-register.

HD5k 2021 is sponsored by Ali Tomlin Ceramics, the Design MuseumWorld Architecture Festival (WAF), and Vitra. Dezeen is a media partner for the event.

HD5k 2021 takes place on 22 May 2021. For an up-to-date list of architecture and design events, visit Dezeen Events Guide.


Media partnership

This article was written by Dezeen for HD5k as part of a media partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.