Birmingham is set to confirm its status as the UK’s home of athletics this month when it hosts two key athletics events on the road to Rio. Both the Birmingham Diamond League yesterday, and the British Championships from 24 to 26 June are organised by British Athletics, in partnership with Birmingham City Council, and both will be held at the city’s Alexander Stadium.

Sport England is to triple the amount of money it invests in tackling inactivity (£250 million over four years) as part of its new strategy for supporting grassroots sport. More than one in four people in England (28 per cent) do less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week. But research shows that those who are least active stand to benefit the most, even if it’s just small changes like gentle jogging, swimming or playing rounders in the park.

An Aston mum has revealed how she’s gone from ‘heffer’ to half-marathon hopeful in just 18 months – losing SIX stone in the process. Shah Begum, aged 37, used to think events like the Great Birmingham Run on Sunday, October 16, which she has just signed up for, were only for super-fit folk. Not being ‘scraped off the road’ was all the paralegal at city centre legal firm Gowling WLG thought she could hope for when she initially agreed to run the Great Birmingham 10k on Sunday May 1.

After Team GB picked up 24 cycling medals at the Invictus Games last week we are sure you have been inspired to get on your bike. We all know Michigan as the home of the American car industry, but with rolling hills, stunning lakeside paths and unique architecture, there is no better way to experience this Great Lake State than on two wheels and a little pedal power.  There are over 1,300 bike trails throughout the state, but you don't just have to go off road to get on your bike in Michigan.

Birmingham is leading the way in tackling the inactivity crisis thanks to a range of FREE initiatives aimed at getting Brummies off the couch. As Sport England unveiled new four-year plan to tackle inactivity, people across Birmingham were embarking on another day of FREE, fun activities aimed at getting Brummies off the couch. Initiatives such as Active Parks, Big Birmingham Bikes, Run Birmingham and Be Active are helping thousands or people lead active lives - with an emphasis on participation rather than simply competition.

Work is underway to prepare Wolverhampton's two public paddling pools for the summer season, and they are due to open in time for the late May Bank Holiday weekend. The linings of both Tettenhall Pool and East Park Pool have been cleaned with the pumping mechanisms tested and any cracks which may have formed over the winter months sealed.