Biggest AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run gets Brum buzzing across Bank Holiday Weekend

Biggest AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run gets Brum buzzing across Bank Holiday Weekend

·      Thousands cheer on friends and family along city streets

·      New “Super Saturday” sees kids run famous Alexander Stadium

·      Super Earlybird offer for next year’s 10k and half marathon

Around 16,000 Brummies took to the city streets for fun, fitness or to fundraise at the sold-out 2025 AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run on Sunday, 4 May.

The Midlands’ biggest 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.

Runners were welcomed to the start-line with warm-ups and energetic live music at the Heart FM DJ truck in the shadow of Birmingham’s landmark buildings – The Library of Birmingham, Symphony Hall and Rep Theatre.

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Ken Wood, TV star Mark Rhodes, sports presenter Amber Sandhu and Bishop of Birmingham, Dr Michael Volland, set off each wave by ringing a starters’ bell, blasting air horns and sharing high-fives with the thousands of participants.

But Bishop Michael’s participation didn’t end with the squeeze of an air horn… the ultramarathon runner joined the half marathon after he had finished his official duties.

Fancy dress runners were once again generating cheers and smiles from the thousands of spectators across the route with runners dressed as Batman, Spiderman and Darth Vader, along with football fans sporting the colours of their teams and funny placards from spectators.

Among the many inspirational runners were the West Midlands Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (WMAS HART). The specialist paramedics ran the 13.1-mile course in full uniform, including helmets and boots, and with a stretcher and crossed the finish line to loud cheers and applause.

The Ambulance Staff Charity supports frontline ambulance workers by offering services such as mental health support and counselling. While Together for Short Lives provides support to very ill, often palliative, children and their families.

Millions of pounds have been raised for good causes at the Great Birmingham Run in recent years 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 Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, Alzheimer’s Society, St Basil’s, Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and many more.

A host of companies of all sizes took on competitors for bragging rights and fastest-time trophies in the Business Challenge with 2024 10k winners Arup and half-marathon winners RSM UK Audit LLP hitting the streets to defend their titles. The winners of the 2025 Business Challenge will be announced as soon as individual times have been collated and ranked.

New for 2025 was the Great Birmingham Junior and Mini Run “Super Saturday” at the world-famous Alexander Stadium in the company of the stars of BBC TV’s Gladiators. Hundreds of children ran the track that saw Commonwealth Games heroics in 2022 and will host the European Athletics Championships in 2026.

Paul Foster, CEO of The Great Run Company, said: “The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run never fails to deliver, and this weekend has been no exception. From the inspirational efforts of our Junior and Mini runners at Alexander Stadium to the thousands of 10k and Half Marathon participants powering through the streets of Birmingham, it’s been a truly unforgettable celebration of running.

“We’re proud to see runners of all abilities coming together – many raising vital funds for charity – and showing such determination, spirit, and pride.

“A huge congratulations to everyone who took part – your efforts have been nothing short of heroic. We can’t wait to welcome you all back next year!”

AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run 2025 winners’ times

10k Top 3 Male
Jack Gray (Cambridge & Coleridge AC) 00:29:48
Corrin Leeming (Western Athletic Club) 00:30:48
Tesfay Teweled (Birchfield Harriers) 00:31:26

10k Top 3 Female
Hayley Carruthers (Tipton Harriers) 00:36:30
Carolyn Hay (Mansfield Harriers & Athletics Club) 00:37:27
Nichola Evans (Tonbridge AC) 00:37:30

Half Marathon Top 3 Male
Alexander Lanz (Birmingham Running Athletic and Triathlon club) 01:08:01
Aidan Banfield (Wymondham AC) 01:08:08
James Douglas (Border Harriers & AC) 01:08:14

Half Marathon Top 3 Female
Georgie Campbell (Stratford-on-Avon Athletic Club) 01:21:22
Charlotte Bush (Tamworth AC) 01:21:56
Olivia Bailey (Nuneaton Harriers AC) 01:24:26

Entries have now opened for next year’s AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run, with a Super Earlybird offer up for grabs.

Taking place on Sunday, 3 May, 2026, the iconic city centre event is the Midlands’ biggest and best running event. This year’s event was a complete sell out before the event weekend, so get in early to secure your place on the start line and bag yourself a saving in the process.

Enter the 10k or half marathon now and save up to £9 on your entry, but hurry, the offer ends on Monday 12 May. Visit greatrun.org