Around 16,000 people took to the city streets for the 2025 AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run on Sunday, 4 May as the Midlands’ biggest running event saw thousands set off to see the sights of Birmingham, in front of 50,000 cheering spectators.
Runners were welcomed to the start-line with warm-ups and energetic live music at the start, in front of the city’s landmark buildings – The Library of Birmingham, Symphony Hall and Rep Theatre.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Ken Wood, TV star Mark Rhodes, sports presenter Amber Sandhu and Bishop of Birmingham, Dr Michael Volland, set off each wave by ringing a starters’ bell, blasting air horns and sharing high-fives with the thousands of participants. But Bishop Michael’s participation didn’t end with the squeeze of an air horn… the ultramarathon runner joined the half marathon after he had finished his official duties.
Fancy dress runners were once again generating cheers and smiles from the thousands of spectators across the route with runners dressed as Batman, Spiderman and Darth Vader, along with football fans sporting the colours of their teams and funny placards from spectators. Among the many inspirational runners was West Midlands Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (WMAS HART).
The specialist paramedics ran the 13.1-mile course in full uniform, including helmets and boots, and with a stretcher and crossed the finish line to loud cheers and applause. The Ambulance Staff Charity supports frontline ambulance workers by offering services such as mental health support and counselling.
While Together for Short Lives provides support to very ill, often palliative, children and their families. Millions of pounds have been raised for good causes at the Great Birmingham Run in recent years and charities will once again benefit from the remarkable achievements of the thousands running for good causes this year.
Charity cheering buses were on the course – with wonderful supporters representing Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, Alzheimer’s Society, St Basil’s, Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and many more. A host of companies of all sizes took on competitors for bragging rights and fastest-time trophies in the Business Challenge with 2024 10k winners Arup and half-marathon winners RSM UK Audit LLP hitting the streets to defend their titles.
The winners of the 2025 Business Challenge will be announced as soon as individual times have been collated and ranked. New for 2025 was the Great Birmingham Junior and Mini Run “Super Saturday” at the world-famous Alexander Stadium in the company of the stars of BBC TV’s Gladiators.
Hundreds of children ran the track that saw Commonwealth Games heroics in 2022 and will host the European Athletics Championships in 2026. Paul Foster, CEO of The Great Run Company, said: “The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run never fails to deliver, and this weekend has been no exception.
“From the inspirational efforts of our Junior and Mini runners at Alexander Stadium to the thousands of 10k and Half Marathon participants powering through the streets of Birmingham, it’s been a truly unforgettable celebration of running. We’re proud to see runners of all abilities coming together – many raising vital funds for charity – and showing such determination, spirit, and pride.
“A huge congratulations to everyone who took part – your efforts have been nothing short of heroic. We can’t wait to welcome you all back next year!”
