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Birmingham Half Marathon (26 Oct 2008)

This was the inaugural Birmingham Half and we can expect it to be run again. It was well supported with nearly 9,000 entrants. There was significant civic effort and there were plenty of supporters and spectators, especially in the last half mile, despite a damp start to the day. Organisation was generally good, although traffic problems for later arriving runners led to a 15-minute delayed start. Results were up on the website by 16:00 on race day.

The point to point course was from Perry Park, adjacent to the Alexander Stadium (home of Birchfield Harriers), through central Birmingham, round residential streets in Edgbaston and back into the centre to finish at Centenary Square. It involved overall ascent of about 100m/300ft and a nnet ascent of 30m/100ft. With several flyovers and underpasses adding to the undulations, the consensus seemed to be that this was not an easy PB route, but a worthwhile race.

Report by A Lloyd

Birmingham Half Marathon (11 Oct 2009)

This was the second Birmingham Half. It started 60 mins after the women and 30 mins after the men in the IAAF World Championship Half Marathon being held in Birmingham for 2009, and was run over mostly the same route, so there was a blue line to follow.

Numbers in the mass race were up on last year, with over 10,000 finishers. Organisation was good, and the start in central Birmingham meant more runners could use public transport and avoid the traffic problems that led to a delayed start in 2008 at the Alexander Stadium. Results were up on the website by the evening of race day.

A potential PB route, with a downhill start, then mostly flat apart from a noticeable 30m rise mid-way and a 40m climb in the last mile. An out and back route taking in Cannon Hill Park and Edgbaston, with start and finish adjacent to Centenary Square.

Report Adrian Lloyd