On your marks, get set, go! The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run is racing to get started this early May bank holiday weekend, and with more than 17,000 runners taking part this year, it’s guaranteed to be the West Midlands’ biggest running event yet—and there’s a brand-new city centre finish, too!
The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run will kickstart with the Minis (aged 3–8) 1.5km route and Juniors (aged 9–15) 2.5km challenge on Saturday, May 2. Then, on Sunday, May 3, the 10k and half marathon races will wind through the city, ending at the world-famous Alexander Stadium, the centrepiece of this year’s European Athletics Championships.
What is the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run route for 2026?
With the Junior & Mini Great Birmingham Run taking place at Alexander Stadium on Saturday, Sunday’s 10k and half marathon routes will start at Centenary Square and take runners past such much-loved city landmarks as the Jewellery Quarter, St Paul’s Square, the Mailbox, New Street Station, St Martin’s Church, Southside and Digbeth.
Half marathon runners will also head into south Birmingham, soaking up the green spaces of Cannon Hill Park and Selly Park, providing quite a scenic contrast. Back into the city centre buzz, the Selfridges Building will signal the start of the home straight on Jennens Road, before entering a festival-style finish village at Aston University.
Replacing the previous Smithfield finish line, the Aston University campus will come alive with a vibrant post-run energy, where runners can refuel, relax and celebrate. The finish area will also feature a mix of street food, charity partner activations and plenty of space to soak up the atmosphere.
What road closures will there be?
There will be rolling road closures from 4am, with all roads reopened by 5pm. The major roads affected are as follows:
Aston Street (07:00 – 17:00), Belgrave Middleway (06:00 – 15:30), Bishop Street (06:00 – 15:15), Broad Street (04:30 – 13:30), Brook Street (07:00 – 12:00), Cannon Hill Park (06:00 – 15:00), Caroline Street (07:00 – 12:00), Charlotte Street (07:00 – 12:00), Commercial Street (07:00 – 13:00), Dudley Street (06:00 – 15:15), Edgbaston Cricket Ground (06:00 – 15:00), Edgbaston Road (06:00 – 15:00), Edgbaston Street (07:00 – 15:30), Elmdon Road (08:00 – 14:00), Frederick Street (07:00 – 12:00), Gooch Street (06:00 – 15:15), Graham Street (07:00 – 12:00), Hill Street (07:00 – 13:00), Holliday Street (07:00 – 13:00), James Watt Queensway (07:00 – 17:00), Jennens Road (02:00 – 18:00), Kensington Road (08:00 – 14:00), Ladywell Walk (06:00 – 15:15), Lyon Queensway (07:00 – 12:00), MacDonald Street (06:00 – 15:15), Masshouse Lane (07:00 – 15:30), Moor Street (07:00 – 15:30), Moor Street Queensway (07:00 – 15:30), Navigation Street (07:00 – 13:00), Newhall Hill (07:00 – 12:00), Parade (07:00 – 12:00), Park Street (07:00 – 15:30), Pershore Road (06:00 – 15:30), Pershore Street (06:00 – 15:15), Priory Road (06:00 – 15:00), Queen’s Ride (06:00 – 15:00), Regent Place (07:00 – 12:00), Royal Mail Street (07:00 – 13:00), Sand Pits (07:00 – 12:00), Selly Avenue (08:00 – 14:00), Selly Park Road (08:00 – 14:00), Severn Street (07:00 – 13:00), Sherlock Street (06:00 – 15:15), St Paul’s Square (07:00 – 12:00), Station Street (07:00 – 13:00), Suffolk St Queensway (07:00 – 13:00), Vittoria Street (07:00 – 12:00), Warstone Lane (07:00 – 12:00) and Woodcock Street (07:00 – 17:00)
What about public transport?
During the the Great Birmingham Run, the National Express West Midlands bus services: 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 8A/C, 9, 12/A, 13/A, 16, 17, 23, 24, 35, 45, 47, 50, 52, 60, 80, 82, 87, 97, 101, X1, X2, X8, X10 will be subject to changes. Diamond 16A bus service will also follow a dedicated diversion route.
Meanwhile, to ensure that participants can get to the start line on time, there will be two additional trams operating between Wolverhampton Station and Grand Central at 6am and 6:30am. But until 2pm, Metro trams will operate between Wolverhampton and Grand Central only, and there will be no services to Millennium Point.
What freebies can I get for taking part?
- Runners can get 20% off travel in zones 1 – 4 with West Midlands Metro, as well as 10% off for family travel.
- Birmingham’s oldest pub, The Old Crown, is promising a free pint (or non-alcoholic alternative) to anyone who shows their 2026 finisher’s medal at the bar.
- Society will also be giving away free pints of its exclusive collaboration beer,I Want It That Way (a hazy pale ale created in partnership with Manchester brewery, Sureshot BrewinG) to those who complete.
- After crossing the finish line, runners can head to Society and claim a complimentary pint of –
- Franco Manca (located on Bennetts Hill) is also offering a free pizza to all half marathon finishers.
- The Lush store on New Street will be giving away an exclusive Ouchy magnesium massage balm and The Good Hour shower jelly to runners.
- Finally, whenever you sign up for a Great Run Series event, you can also take advantage of some exclusive offers and competitions here.
