Birmingham Half Marathon organisers' fast-track to success
Jun 10 2009 by Kat Keogh, Birmingham Post
Organisers of this year’s Birmingham Half Marathon are hoping a revamped route will encourage more runners to sign up.
Plans for a faster, flatter 13-mile course have been revealed in response to complaints from runners that last year’s course was too hilly and difficult.
The event, which takes place on Sunday, October 11, looks set to attract some of the world’s top athletes as the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships will be held just an hour before the main race.
Last year’s route – which started at the Alexander Stadium and took in a winding course around Perry Barr, Newtown, Edgbaston and Harborne before finishing in Broad Street – was scrapped after runners complained about the logistical difficulties of starting and finishing in different locations.
Organisers were also conscious that athletes in the World Half Marathon Championships will be aiming for fast times – so officials devised an entirely new route.
This year’s event will now start and finish in the city centre and will be predominantly flat and straight on roads which are closed to traffic.
Nearly 9,000 runners took part in last year’s race, and it is hoped that the revamped route will encourage of swell of entries from runners of all abilities.
Coun Martin Mullaney, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “Last year’s event was a huge success and we hope that the 2009 event will attract even more participants.
“The EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon was introduced last year as a means of inspiring more people to be more active, more often, and its success demonstrates yet again Birmingham’s ability to stage great major events.
“I would like to encourage people from across the city and region to come and be part of this event either as a runner, a volunteer or just by lining the route and cheering on the thousands of entrants as they take part in this challenge.”
It is also hoped that the event will give tourism in the region a boost as thousands of visitors from outside Birmingham book into city hotels and drink and dine in restaurants and bars. Some official 14 charities are set to benefit from the event, including the Birmingham Mail Charity Trust, Global Action Plan, MS Society and Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the Foundation for Conductive Education.
This year’s half marathon, which also includes an event for wheelchair users, has no upper age limit and will be open to anyone aged 17 or over.
Organisers added they want as many people as possible to enter the race online via www.birminghamhalfmarathon.com.
For further details and telephone entries call 0844 888 3883.
