Organisers of the annual Great Birmingham 10K have unveiled a best-ever route that showcases Birmingham city centre landmarks such as Grand Central, Mailbox and the historic Jewellery Quarter for the first time.
From the Hippodrome theatre to St Paul’s Square and a rollcall of city centre attractions in between, the 10k, which takes place on Sunday, May 31, shines a light on the historic heart of Birmingham, its latest developments and world-famous heritage sites.
The new 10k route has been unveiled just two years before Birmingham hosts the 2022 Commonwealth Games and welcomes visitors from across the world and a global TV audience of billions.
Starting near the much-loved Hippodrome theatre in Southside, the opening stages of the Great Birmingham 10k will take runners through gritty and bohemian Digbeth where old industries and new bars and apartments sit alongside each other.
At 3km, runners and walkers will see one of Birmingham’s oldest areas – St Martin’s Church and the Bull Ring Markets which date back to the Middle Ages – before the route passes the unique Grand Central at New Street station, one of the city’s more recent skyline additions. The mall’s reflective exterior will provide a brilliant photographic backdrop to the event.
The cool and contemporary Mailbox building and its premium retail stores features at 4km, before participants cross bustling Broad Street – the city’s ‘Golden Mile’ – at 5km.
Birmingham’s world-famous canal network is a highlight at 6km with runners passing King Edward’s Wharf and Vincent Street near Brindleyplace and Arena Birmingham.
New for 2020, the 10k will take runners through one of the city’s gems – the Jewellery Quarter – home to 40% of the UK’s jewellery production and the world’s largest Assay Office. Runners will go along Frederick Street, around the iconic Chamberlain clock, down Vittoria Street and alongside beautiful St Paul’s Square and its heritage-listed Georgian buildings housing creative companies and buzzing bars.
After heading along Newhall Street and Great Charles Street at 9km, the sight of the new HSBC UK and PwC offices at the Arena Central and Paradise developments will boost Brum runners looking for a personal-best time.
Business Challenge teams taking part for corporate bragging rights and fastest-time trophies will enjoy passing their city centre offices as the 10K reaches its grandstand finish at the Town Hall, Victoria Square and Colmore Row, where goodie bags and finisher medals await.
The new city-centre finish-line gives participants the perfect opportunity to meet friends and family for a post-run visit to the Event Village, before heading to one of Birmingham’s many cafes, bars and restaurants or a spot of retail therapy at an independent boutique store in Great Western Arcade or Piccadilly Arcade.
The Great Run Company, organisers of the annual 10k, have worked with Birmingham City Council, public transport providers and the city centre’s five Business Improvement Districts to create the new route.
Steve Hewlett, Manager, Retail BID Birmingham, said: “It’s a great time for Birmingham to introduce a new 10K route through the city centre as it offers runners and visitors an opportunity to experience the city as it rapidly develops. This could easily become the biggest and best 10k in Europe!”
Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “I am excited that a route for the Great Birmingham 10k has been developed to showcase the best of the city and feature one of most iconic areas, the Jewellery Quarter. It’s a route that we know participants will enjoy with a finish in the heart of the city centre.”
More info and to enter visit: W: greatrun.org/great-birmingham-10k
