The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run 2025 – the Midlands’ premier mass-participation event – is now less than three months away and on target to be the biggest Great Birmingham Run in a decade.

Taking place across the weekend of Saturday, 3 May and Sunday, 4 May, the Great Birmingham Run is a celebration of running for everyone of all ages and abilities.

More than 16,000 runners will take part across the event weekend with the Great Birmingham Junior and Mini Runs acting as a fun-filled family curtain-raiser on Saturday 3rd May, before the 10k and half marathon routes the following day.

Billed as “Super Saturday”, entries are now open for both the junior and mini distances via the Great Run website. Minis (aged 3-8) can take on a 1.5km route, while juniors (9-15) face a 2.5km challenge at the city’s world-famous Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, which was the centrepiece of Birmingham’s 2022 Commonwealth Games.

And back in the heart of Birmingham on Sunday, 4 May, the half-marathon and 10k routes are once again filled with Brummie landmarks including the world-famous Jewellery Quarter, beautiful St Paul’s Square and a city-centre route that features the Mailbox, Grand Central at New Street station, St Martin’s Church, Southside and Digbeth. Half-marathon runners will take in the sights of south Birmingham with Cannon Hill Park and Bournville featuring along the route.

The 10k and half marathon start-line at Centenary Square will once again become a carnival of colour, high-fives and spectator support, in the shadow of some of the city’s most popular landmarks – The Library of Birmingham, Symphony Hall and Rep Theatre.

If you’re new to half marathon running, taking part in an event is the best way to maintain a running routine and at three months away, The Great Birmingham Run is your perfect goal.

The Great Run website features hundreds of articles filled with the best tips on everything from training schedules, motivation, nutrition, footwear and breathing techniques, to crafting your best running playlist and best practices for before, during and after your run.

With three months to go, Olympian, Commonwealth champion and Great Run ambassador, Eilish McColgan, shares a motivational message for Great Birmingham Runners.

“After winning Gold in the 10,000m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the city will always hold a special place in my heart, and in my athletics career,” she said.

“When participating in the Commonwealth Games, the atmosphere in Birmingham was incredible and it’s something I know you will all experience this May.

“As a Great Run ambassador, I want to encourage as many people as possible to take up running, and events like the Great Birmingham Run are the perfect opportunity.

“A great start is to find a running buddy. Check out social media for a local running group or crew near you. Finding like-minded people will be a huge support and motivation as you count down to the run.”

Another way of motivating yourself to take part in the Great Birmingham Run is to fundraise for a cause close to your heart. More than £10 million has been raised for charities at Great Birmingham Runs since 2017 and runners can once again sign up to support their chosen good cause to raise even more funds for life-changing projects.

Join the Great Birmingham Run team of everyday heroes raising millions for charity. Choose your worthy cause from dozens of fantastic charities, including British Heart Foundation, Alzheimer’s Society, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Find out more and sign up for the Great Birmingham Run 10k or half marathon on Sunday, 4 May, and its Junior and Mini events, which this year take place at the Alexander Stadium on Saturday, 3 May, visit greatrun.org