Want to watch Europe’s best athletes race on Birmingham’s streets? With exactly three weeks to go until the 2026 European Athletics Championships (August 10 to 16), organisers have revealed the city-centre routes for the elite marathon and race walk events.
While mostly taking place at Alexander Stadium, bringing together more than 1,600 athletes from 48 countries in Birmingham, you will be able to enjoy elite road racing free of charge as athletes compete in the race walk events on Saturday, August 15 and the marathon on Sunday, August 16.
This marks the first time the UK has hosted the European Athletics Championships, in a landmark sporting moment for the city. And, part of the Novuna GB & NI Teams line-up, Birmingham athlete Ellis Cross will compete in the men’s marathon, giving us a home-city athlete to support.
Keep an eye out for…
Elite Race Walks (Saturday, August 15):
The race walk events will start on Colmore Row and finish in Victoria Square, taking place on a one-kilometre city-centre loop. Spectators will be able to watch along Waterloo Street, Temple Row West and Colmore Row, with athletes passing regularly throughout the event.
Elite Marathon (Sunday, August 16):
The men’s and women’s marathons will kick off the Championships’ final day, with both races starting and finishing in Victoria Square. The women’s marathon begins at 7.30 am, followed by the men’s race at 8.10 am. Athletes will complete eight laps of a five-kilometre city-centre circuit.
Recommended viewing locations include:
- Colmore Row and Church Street (for the opening and closing stages of the race)
- Holliday Street
- Granville Street
- Sheepcote Street
- Sand Pits
- Ludgate Hill
- Charlotte Street
- Warstone Lane
While these events are free to watch, tickets for the stadium programme can be purchased here.
