Great Birmingham Run

The Great Birmingham Run is the flagship half marathon of the Great Run series and the second-largest half marathon in the United Kingdom, held every spring on the streets of Birmingham, England. Founded in 2008 as the Birmingham Half Marathon, the event gained international standing by hosting the 2009 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and was televised live on Channel 5 from 2011 to 2016; it moved from its original October date to a spring fixture from 2022 onward, when a companion 10K was added on the same morning. Both the half marathon and 10K start from Centenary Square on Broad Street in the city centre. The half marathon route heads south through Cannon Hill Park, Selly Park and past Edgbaston Stadium before rejoining the 10K course for a downhill run through the second half back into the centre, finishing on Jennens Road at the Aston University event village. The course is generally undulating rather than flat, with roughly 96 meters (314 feet) of total elevation gain. More than 16,000 runners take part across the half marathon and 10K each year, and the 2025 edition sold out in advance. Current title sponsorship comes from AJ Bell, though the race carries the long-standing, sponsor-neutral 'Great Birmingham Run' name used since it joined the Great Run series in 2011. Entry is available through general online registration at a saver or final-entries rate, or through a guaranteed charity place with a fundraising commitment.