Thousands Take On Great Birmingham Run

Despite the security concern which resulted in the course being shortened to 11.07 miles, thousands of runners enjoyed the challenge of the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run on Sunday 13 October.

Entries are now open for the Great Birmingham 10k and the Great Birmingham Run 2020, giving participants the chance to take advantage of an early bird discount available until 10am on Monday 21 October, offering 20% off the entry fee.

The Great Birmingham 10k will be staged on an exciting new course incorporating the historic heart of Birmingham, its latest developments and world-famous heritage sites, starting near the much-loved Hippodrome theatre in Southside.

For the first time, runners will be taken through the Jewellery Quarter, one of the city’s gems – home to 40% of the UK’s jewellery production – and past the Mailbox, once a giant Royal Mail sorting office before being rebuilt as a premium shopping and lifestyle destination in the 90’s, before it reaches its grandstand finish at Victoria Square and Colmore Row.

Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “I am excited that a route for the Great Birmingham 10k has been developed to showcase the best of the city and feature one of most iconic areas, the Jewellery Quarter. It’s a route that we know participants will enjoy with a finish in the heart of the city centre.”

First across the Great Birmingham Run finish line was Birchfield Harrier Omar Ahmed who finished in 52:18 followed by Douglas Musson of Notts Athletic Club in 55:33, with William Mycroft from Enfield and Haringey AC clocking 56:41 for third place.

Another Birchfield Harrier, Hayley Carruthers, took the honours as first female home in a time of 1:02:09 with Lucy Reid from Tonbridge AC and Laura Gent from Aldershot and Farnham AC clinching second and third in 1:03:34 and 1:05:54 respectively, but not before the youngsters had their chance to shine in the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great Birmingham Run, an event that is now so popular it sold out this year.

Jayne Fearn, Simplyhealth Great Run Lead, said “The Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run, Junior and Mini Great Run have been amazing events, full of fun and energy! It was truly inspiring to see so many runners of all ages and abilities taking on their own personal challenge. We’re proud to support people every step of the way to help them maintain better health through being more active.”

The events raise thousands for local and national good causes annually. More than 130 Mini runners zipped around the course wearing the red t-shirts of Zero Hunger for Langer, a charity whose mission is to improve quality of life around the world, providing free food for all people, regardless of faith, gender, age or social status.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity again had hundreds of runners in the half marathon all with the one purpose in mind of raising as much money as possible.

Over 30 businesses took part in the Business Challenge, which not only pits work teams against each other for fastest-time trophies but is the perfect team-building exercise and adopted by many companies as a health and mental well-being initiative to encourage activity among employees.

One 20-strong team of runners who took part came from the Business Challenge sponsors ENGIE, headed up by their CEO, Nicola Lovett and raising money for their chosen charities, Macmillan, Mind and The Princes’ Trust.

Next year’s Great Birmingham 10K takes place on Sunday, 31 May. 

The Great Birmingham Run takes place on Sunday, 11 October. To enter