At last, after first being announced before Christmas, the full details of the Birmingham half-marathon are out and entries are open. It takes place on 26th October with a 9.30am start. Hot on the heels of the recent climate change festival the event is being billed as the ‘Race against Climate Change’. EDF are the sponsors being the responsible energy types they are.

Here’s the route. The link to a higher-res PDF of the route doesn’t seem to work but I’ll do an update if they sort it out is here.

To me it looks like a straightforward 3.5 miles down the A34 from Alexander Stadium to Dale End and through to Victoria Square, down towards the Mailbox going under the inner ring road, back up to Broad st for a bit before crossing to the Hagley road. You then divert off on a circuit around Edgbaston before getting to Bearwood and doubling back for a two and a bit mile straight run back to Centenary Square for the finish. I think it’ll be undulating but maybe with a slight dip overall. Not really a fast course but it’ll be fun to run around the centre of Birmingham. 

Entries are £20 for runners affiliated to a running club, over 60s and students. £22 for everyone else. That sounds about right for a big city half-marathon. Nottingham for example is £22.50/£24.50 but that is a very big, well established event. 

You can enter online but beware – it looks like they’ll add a 10% charge on to the fee. In the small print it says forms will be available in city council leisure facilities or by calling 0844 888 3883 to request a form.

I’m up for it – hope you are too! 

Hat-tip to Bournville Harriers for the news