Great Birmingham Run gets city buzzing
More than 14,000 Brummies pounded the sun-kissed city streets for fun, fitness or to fundraise at the sold-out 2024 AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run.
The Midlands’ premier running event saw thousands set off from Broad Street and Centenary Square to see the sights of the city centre and south Birmingham in front of 50,000 cheering spectators and under glorious blue skies.
Runners were welcomed to the start-line with warm-ups and live music at the Heart FM DJ truck, and an inspirational set-list from DJs Gemma Hill and Ed James to help motivate them for the challenge ahead.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Chaman Lal, set off each wave by ringing a runners’ bell, blasting air horns and sharing high-fives with participants, alongside representatives from the charity foundations of Aston Villa FC, Birmingham City FC and West Bromwich Albion FC.
Hundreds of this year’s 10k and half marathon runners were sporting their clubs’ colours with pride as the charity foundations offered places for fans to fundraise on their behalf, while the club mascots took part in the Junior and Mini Run Mascot Race over at the Smithfield finish line.
They were among hundreds of energetic youngsters tackling the Junior and Mini Run, which was a sell-out for 2024.
Fancy dress runners were once again generating cheers and smiles from the thousands of spectators across the route with runners dressed as hot dogs, Super Mario Brothers, Supermen and Superwomen, unicorns and a carrot.
Millions of pounds have been raised for good causes at the Great Birmingham Run since 2017 and charities will once again benefit from the remarkable achievements of the thousands running for good causes this year.
Charity cheering buses were on the course – with wonderful supporters representing, Alzheimer’s Society, Birmingham Hospice, Cancer Research UK, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and Macmillan Cancer Support – to thank the runners for their fundraising exploits and keep their spirits up and legs pumping.
A host of companies of all sizes took on competitors for bragging rights and fastest-time trophies in the Business Challenge with Solihull School returning to defend their crown. The winners of the 2024 Business Challenge will be announced as soon as individual times have been collated and ranked.
Paul Foster, chief executive of The Great Run Company said: “The Great Birmingham Run is the first event in the Great Run Series schedule and we look forward to it every year.
“Once again, it was wonderful to experience the Centenary Square start-line atmosphere and great to see the running stars of the future complete the Junior and Mini event.
“This weekend has been a running party atmosphere like no other, and I congratulate each and every one of our participants for their incredible achievements.
“We can’t wait to see you all again on Sunday, 4th May, 2025!”
