Athletics
Birmingham is fast becoming the focal point of Britain’s athletics. With one of the country’s most successful clubs (Birchfield Harriers) and venues where more national and international events take place. Our very own NIA, as well as the Alexander Stadium. This is the place to see future Olympians battle it out.
Birmingham is home to more World and European events than any other UK city. The Birmingham sports calendar is jam packed. Athletics is at the centre of most of the action and in recent years, the NIA has hosted a great many championships; both national and at world level.
There are also four principal athletics clubs in Birmingham. The largest and most successful is Birchfield Harriers - with 100 Olympians over the last 100 years. Founded in 1877, its recent stars include Olympic, World and Commonwealth medallists Denise Lewis, Ashia Hansen, Mark Lewis Francis and Katharine Merry. The club trains at Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, and has use of Birmingham’s world-class indoor high performance centre.
The EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon
24 October 2010
The EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon will once again return to the streets of Birmingham on Sunday 24 October. This will be the third year that the event, also known as ‘The Race Against Climate Change’ takes place.
Last year’s event saw 12,500 runners enter and this year Birmingham City Council are anticipating an increase in numbers and are aiming to beat last year’s target. The 2010 event also sees a new route, which has a slight variation on last year, however it still starts and finishes in Birmingham city centre. Runners will still run past iconic parts of the city like The International Convention Centre, Birmingham Town Hall, Warwickshire County Cricket Ground and the route will once again go through the picturesque Cannon Hill Park.
In addition, once again there will be the Business Challenge giving employees of companies the chance to compete against other businesses. Shoosmiths Solicitors were the first ever winners of the Business Challenge trophy and they have already confirmed that they will be defending their title in 2010. The top prize will once again be awarded for the fastest team but there will also be prizes for fastest all male and all female teams as well as the fastest individual male and female.
To take part in this year’s event, enter at www.birminghamhalfmarathon.com. The website also has plenty of other information including the official route, details of road closures and information on this year’s official charities. Entry for affiliated club runners is £23 and for unaffiliated club runners is £25 and the closing date for entries is Friday 24th September.