By using this website you agree to our
First header image
Second header image
logo

Great Birmingham Run

Tickets on organiser’s site
Event summary

Speed through the crowd filled streets of Birmingham in this half marathon. Great for first-timers and experienced runners alike, the course winds through the UK's second largest city and past its key landmarks. Come for the epic race day atmosphere or for that cherished finisher's medal.

Looks like tickets for this event aren’t available, here are some similar events you can book today:
Looks like tickets for this event aren’t available, here are some similar events you can book today:
Solihull Half Marathon and 10k
Sun 15th Aug 2021 - Solihull
Lichfield Half Marathon
Sun 17th Oct 2021 - Lichfield
Kenilworth Half Marathon
Sun 12th Sep 2021 - Kenilworth
Star4.7(3)
Your organiser
The Great Run Company's logo
The Great Run Company

The Great Run Company is a United Kingdom events company specialising in the development, design, organisation and rights management of mass participation and televised sporting events. They most notably organise the Great North Run, Great South Run and Great Manchester Run annually.

Visit websiteExternalLink
Volunteer
We’re always looking for volunteers to help make these events epic.
Find out more

How to enter

What's included:

  • Finisher's medal
  • Bespoke t-shirt
  • Chip timed
  • Closed roads
  • Post-race goodie bag
  • Pre-race training and advice
  • Access to the free Great Run app to allow your loved ones to track your progress along the route as well as access to all event information
  • Food and drink options to refuel
Half Marathon
Sun 10th Oct 2021

Run 13.1mi

10K
Sun 10th Oct 2021

Run 10km

Delete
Stay up-to-date
Get email updates about this event.
What people think
4.3
18 reviews
BicepFlexChallenging course
ThumbsUpWell organized
ActionHighFiveHelpful volunteers
Karl S
Star
5.0
Did the Half Marathon in 2018
They seem to change the course every few years but it's well organised and get atmosphere. I've enjoyed it so much I've managed to complete all of them so far… read more
Cathy B
Star
4.0
Did the 10K in 2019
A tough run in the humidity made fun by additions to the course (my favourite the shower) and really fun motivational pacers!… read more
Rebecca J
Star
2.0
Did the 10K in 2019
I talked other people into doing this 10k on the basis of all the spectators all around the course keep you going. Well what a huge disappointment this yeats was. Out down 1 road where spectators cant easily get to there and back. I will never ever do this course again. Huge let down. Sort it out.… read more
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
At what time does the Great Birmingham Run start?
The race start time for each competitor depends on your wave COLOR. Start time ranges from 9:30 to 11:05. … read more
FAQ
Is the Great Birmingham Run family-friendly?
The minimum age is 17 years old. … read more
FAQ
Which roads will be closed?
You should plan to arrive early and take in account road closures. All road closures can be seen here: https://grimages.blob.core.windows.net/blobgrimages1/documents/2018-09-26-GBR_2018_Road_closure_map.pdf… read more
Running Events in the United Kingdom
Running Events in the United Kingdom

5k Events10k EventsHalf Marathon EventsMarathon EventsUltramarathon Events

Running Events in London Parks
Running Events in London Parks

Battersea ParkRichmond Park

Route description
Route description

The Birmingham Half Marathon starts and finishes in the city centre. Runners will loop down past Edgbaston - home of Warwickshire Cricket Club - before heading right down toward Cadbury World and looping back up to the city centre.

This race will be run of closed roads, so athletes need not worry about traffic. There will be refreshment stations throughout and the course will be well marshalled as well as distance-marked.

Karl S
Star
5.0
Did the Half Marathon in 2018
They seem to change the course every few years but it's well organised and get atmosphere. I've enjoyed it so much I've managed to complete all of them so far
Cathy B
Star
4.0
Did the 10K in 2019
A tough run in the humidity made fun by additions to the course (my favourite the shower) and really fun motivational pacers!
Rebecca J
Star
2.0
Did the 10K in 2019
I talked other people into doing this 10k on the basis of all the spectators all around the course keep you going. Well what a huge disappointment this yeats was. Out down 1 road where spectators cant easily get to there and back. I will never ever do this course again. Huge let down. Sort it out.
Shona j
Star
4.7
Did the 10K in 2019
Fantastically well organised, plenty of music and crowd support fantastic energy both before during and after the event particularly on the event village- every runners wish T-shirt and bling !!
Vicky B
Star
4.7
Did the 10K in 2016
The hill up to the end was hard work, but well worth it for the final 500 metres coming down broad street and crossing the finish line, fantastic atmosphere and crowds, loved the music stations dotted around the course and the odd little water stands too. At the starting line, It was busy, almost chaotic but still organised well, with lots of helpers around to ask where to go and getting everyone mentally ready to go and the themes for different starting groups was really fun! Being my first run I was really nervous, excited, and worried about not being able to get round or get anything like a decent time. The pacer runners were a really good way of keeping me motivated and not going too quick too soon and killing off my novice legs!
Steve E
Star
5.0
Did the 10K in 2018
This is the best event I have ran in . Perfect for beginners and good to go for a PB. Friendly atmosphere and great crowds . 5 star for me
Sc
Star
3.0
Did the Half Marathon in 2018
I haven’t run since doing this race. It broke me mentally and physically. It rained the whole way around. I kept slipping. I wouldn’t do this run again. It really put me off. The rain was torrential the whole way around.
Lucy
Star
5.0
Did the Half Marathon in 2018
Well organised, would recommend! The first half of the course is flat or downhill! The second half has a few hills! Lots of support even though it was raining the whole event!
Becky
Star
5.0
Did the 10K in 2018
Loved the atmosphere!! It was a "great" run I really enjoyed it. It was amazing to see the amount of people who would come out from their homes to cheer on and hand our sweets and drinks
Bex
Star
3.7
Did the 10K in 2019
Wasn't a big fan of the route. There were less support along the route and only really had a big amount near the start/end and at the 5km point. Because of this I felt like it affected the atmosphere.However it was well organised the volunteers where great. I had much preferred the previous 4 years I had attended though.
Kerry
Star
3.7
Did the 10K in 2019
Enjoyed the event. Lots of encouragement from the crowds and from start to finish we'll organised and everyone was safe and enjoyed
Maggie C
Star
3.3
Did the 10K in 2019
I enter and take part in the simplyhealth 10k and half marathon every year and Love it. The events are always very well organised. Finishing goody bag great. Routes are always well supported, however 2019 10k Change of route wasn’t as enjoyable. Less support.
Mel W
Star
4.3
Did the Half Marathon in 2018
Really well organised course with helpful marshals, clear signage and great support pre-race (training schedules, community support). It was a terrible day weather wise, but the supporters who were out were absolutely brilliant and the bands added to a great atmosphere. There was plenty of water, gels and toilets on route, and the course was predominantly flat or downhill. Not a scenic route, but the parts around broad street, the cricket ground and cannon hill Park were great. I wouldn’t hesitate to do this race again, it was my first half and I loved it!
Mireille
Star
5.0
Did the Half Marathon in 2018
It was a great event, I have run in few event around the West Midlands in the past 2 years! I felt like the great Birmingham event was far more the best I have ever seen! The music all along, the audience and lots of free bits at the end! I ve never seen any event like the great Birmingham 10k of 2019! Really enjoyed it and it inspired to do the next Birmingham half marathon!
Kelly
Star
5.0
Did the 10K in 2019
This was the biggest race I've run, attendance-wise and the atmosphere was amazing. Great support from the crowd. Very undulating course, it's literally up, down, up, down, up, down etc. Live music and people cheering your name (which is printed on your bib) really gives you that extra boost, I got a 10K PB! Will definitely be running it again next year!
Michelle
Star
4.7
Did the 10K in 2019
Course was okay but while the sections through the city centre were amazing and full of supporters, the majority of it was on a dual carriageway with very few supporters. Would definitely do it again though as I love the whole experience. T-shirt sizes are huge and are based on men’s sizes - the smallest available was a small and that was a like a tent on me - fitted my husband and he was a large so for a women I would say definitely order a small t shirt.
Carrie
Star
5.0
Did the Half Marathon in 2017
This was my very first half marathon, I can honestly say it did not disappoint. When I arrived, there were lots of signs and people at hand to point me in the right direction of the registration stations, which helped ease my nerves straight away. There were different stations for different waves. I had chosen the challenger wave: this was a good pace for a beginner who had been training hard and wanted to try and aim for just under a 10 minute mile pace. The start of the race was well organised with waves being called to the start line for their warm ups in intervals, and then away you went. The route was pleasant, as were my fellow runners. Many offered encouraging words to anyone who appeared to be flagging. At one stage, I developed a cramp in my leg so walked for a moment; at this point one of the Duracell pacers (who happened to be an Olympic runner, who was holding the 10 min mile pace flag) spurred me on with her words of encouragement. Along the route there were toilets and water stations, they were easily accessible and plentiful so did not put any strain or stress on sabotaging my target time. I did not use the toilets so I am not aware of the condition they were in or the queuing time involved. The crowds along the way were wonderful, often calling out my name and cheering for me (as my name was on my bib) and offering refreshments, sweets and even comical signs, which put a smile on my face at even the most painful moment of the race. Apparently, on previous versions of this half marathon, there was a particularly nasty hill towards the end of the route; but luckily the year I participated the route was rerouted because of roadworks. There were a few hills towards the latter end of the route but nothing that was unmanageable; it was mostly a flat route. I would definitely recommend this race to first timers and anyone looking for a great atmosphere: I will be coming back again in 2019 to try and beat my time.
Ruth
Star
5.0
Did the Half Marathon in 2018
Great race despite the awful weather!
4.3
18 reviews
BicepFlexChallenging course
ThumbsUpWell organized
ActionHighFiveHelpful volunteers
Rate this event
Spectators

Spectators are strongly encouraged to line the streets of Birmingham and support those running.

How to get there

11 Andover St, Birmingham B5 5RG, UK

Get directionsExternalLink

Address: Broad street, Birmingham, B1 2HP

Road Closures

Ensure you plan your journey to the start line in advance of the big day as there will be a number of road closures in place and your usual routes into the city may not be available.

Bus: Birmingham city centre is well-serviced by buses/coaches. Please note that due to the road closures for the event there are some local bus services that will be diverted, please visit nxbus.co.uk then click on ‘temporary diversions’ to view the most up-to-date information.

Car: Coming to the event by car is still an option despite the road closures that will be in place. We would recommend using alternative methods of transport but if you do need to use your car here are a few points to help you: Plan your journey in advance of event day. Do not assume that you can use your normal routes into the city centre, please DO NOT rely on SAT NAVs as these could take you along routes that are closed for the event.

Give yourself plenty of travel time on event morning, there will be other runners coming into the city as well, the roads will get busy.Parking is only available within the city centre on a first come, first served basis, at runners’ own cost

Train: Birmingham City Centre has a number of train stations that are within walking distance of the start/finish areas:

Five Ways - Serviced by National Express Trains. 10 minutes from the start area on broad St. and 25 minutes walking time to finish line.

Birmingham New Street - Serviced by National Express & Virgin Trains. 15 minutes walking time to start and finish lines.

Snow Hill - Serviced by National Express & Virgin Trains. 15 minutes walking time to start line and 10 minutes to the finish.

Moor Street - Serviced by National Express Trains. 15 minutes walking time to start line and 10 minutes to the finish.

Jewellery Quarter - Serviced by National Express Trains. 25 minutes walking time to start line and 35 to finish.

Frequently asked questions
FAQ
At what time does the Great Birmingham Run start?
The race start time for each competitor depends on your wave COLOR. Start time ranges from 9:30 to 11:05.
FAQ
Is the Great Birmingham Run family-friendly?
The minimum age is 17 years old.
FAQ
Which roads will be closed?
You should plan to arrive early and take in account road closures. All road closures can be seen here: https://grimages.blob.core.windows.net/blobgrimages1/documents/2018-09-26-GBR_2018_Road_closure_map.pdf
Half Marathon
Sun 10th Oct 2021
10K
Sun 10th Oct 2021

Interested in volunteering at this event?

Organisers are always looking for an extra pair of hands and there are plenty of roles to fill!

Complete this short form and the organiser will be in touch.

By submitting, you’re accepting that we’ll pass your details onto the event organiser. We won’t pass your details onto anyone else.

Tickets on organiser’s site

© Let's Do This 2021