Runners gearing up for Great Birmingham Run

THOUSANDS of fun runners take to the streets of Birmingham on Sunday as the city stages its annual Great Birmingham Run.

The event also attracts serious athletes from around the world with the half marathon taking them through the streets of the second city past famous landmarks such as the Bullring, Cadbury World in Bournville and Edgbaston cricket ground.

Live music will accompany the runners along various stages of the route including the finish line in Broad Street.

The event attracts thousands of spectators, many keen to cheer on the part-time runners who take part in the race to raise money for good causes.

One of those doing just that will be the new Conservative candidate for West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, who will be pounding the streets in his fifth GBR.

The outgoing managing director of John Lewis is looking to raise funds for one of Birmingham’s best known charities, Acorns children’s hospice.

As an added incentive to look good, this year’s event will be featured live on national television, with Channel 5 screening the race between 10am and midday.

Entries for the race are now closed but any runners who have not received their race pack can visit the event’s customer services team at the Up & Running store, 25-29 Temple Street, between 10am and 4pm tomorrow (Saturday) to pick one up.

Those not taking part in the race have been warned of road closures along the route while the event is in progress, while bus passengers have been advised that key city centre and south Birmingham services will be affected during the race.

To try and offset any problems, Transport for West Midlands has put in place a series of on-the-day diversions.

For more details visit: NetworkWestMidlands.com/alerts and look under ‘planned bus disruptions’.
 
Cllr Kath Hartley, lead member for putting passengers first on the WMCA’s transport delivery committee, said: “The half marathon is always a wonderful occasion for the city and people do understand that traffic needs to be disrupted during major events like this.
 
“However, it’s our job to make sure that passengers experience the minimum inconvenience – mainly by making sure they are kept well informed.
 
“I would urge people to please allow extra time for their journeys and stay up to date with all the changes by following @networkwm on twitter.”