Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run 2019 route, start times, weather, parking and more – Birmingham Live

Thousands of runners are taking part in this year’s Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run on Sunday, October 13.]

Whether you are a regular runner looking to smash your personal best time, or a newbie who fancies a bit of extra exercise and an opportunity to rise to a fresh challenge, this event caters for all.

And the 13.1-mile half marathon has a new route for 2019, incorporating several roads that haven’t been part of the event before.

It’s still set to be a whole load of fun, as well as raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for local and national charities.

Hundreds of young runners will be able to enjoy a great day of sporting activity in the city, as junior and mini runs will also be taking place on the same day as the half marathon.

The 1.5K Mini Run is open to children of all abilities aged three to eight and the 2.5K Junior Run is open to 9 to 16-year-olds.

All finishers receive a medal, T-shirt and goodie bag.

The event also includes the ENGIE Business Challenge, which invites office teams to compete for fastest-time trophies, raise funds for company charities and boost team spirit and office morale.

Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run route map and where to watch

The route, with a new start, has been confirmed for this year’s Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run which showcases the best of the city centre plus popular spectator spots in Bournville and Cannon Hill Park.

Starting on New Street, the half marathon will pass the famous Rotunda, Primark on High Street, Selfridges and St Martin’s Church before taking thousands of participants along Pershore Road and into south Birmingham.

Following previous years’ 13.1-mile runs, the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run will begin its return to the city centre when it reaches the six-mile mark at the picture-postcard suburb of Bournville, a favourite spot for spectators to cheer on family and friends.

The new route sees a return to some of the event’s most popular running locations of past years, including Cannon Hill Park at nine miles and Edgbaston Stadium at the 10-mile mark.

After taking runners through Digbeth at 12 miles the half marathon will finish on Jennens Road and Aston University campus – watched by thousands of spectactors – for post-run refreshments.

Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run start times

09:00 Information point opens (Victoria Square)

09:30 Start assembly area opens for WHITE and ORANGE waves

10:00 Start of the Simplyhealth Junior Great Birmingham Run (Jennens Road)

10:20 Warm up for the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run WHITE and ORANGE waves

10:30 Start of the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run (ORANGE wave and ELITES)

10:43 Start of the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run (WHITE wave)

10:45 Start of the Simplyhealth Mini Great Birmingham Run (Jennens Road)

10:49 Warm up for the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run GREEN and PINK waves

10:57 Start of the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run (GREEN wave)

11:05 Start of the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run (PINK wave)

Anyone walking or part walking/ running the event should start at the rear of their wave and in the first few miles, stay to the left-hand side of the road to allow runners through who want to pass.

If you want to run with a friend but have different coloured run numbers, you can drop back to run in the same wave but not move forward.

Where to leave your bags

Fill in your baggage label (tear off from your run number) before leaving the house. Make sure your baggage label is secured to your bag.

You will need your run number to gain access to the buses to drop off and collect your bag, so staff can ensure it corresponds to the baggage label.

At the start, baggage buses are located on Waterloo Street and will be open from 8am to 11am. Buses will be numbered so remember which one you use.

The buses will then relocate to Jennens Road for when you are ready to collect your bag.

Don’t leave valuables in your bags – this is a self-service system and although there are security staff present, organisers say they can’t accept any responsibility for lost or stolen items.

Where are the toilets?

Temporary toilets will be in the streets leading to the start and in the assembly areas on New Street and in Victoria Square.

There will also be toilets available on course. Toilet facilities will be busy before and after the run, so allow plenty of time.

What about water for runners?

Be prepared for the water station at 3, 6, 9 and 12 mile points – they will be signed in advance.

Make sure you are ready to take a bottle. But only if you need one.

Try not to stop suddenly when there are runners behind you, and take only one bottle – be considerate of others.

When you have finished, discard your bottle in the bins provided or at the kerb edge and try to keep it from the running carriageway.

Don’t take big gulps if you are not thirsty – you could put yourself in a condition called hyponatraemia where your body salts become diluted, possibly causing confusion and vomiting.

Apart from hydrating with water, it’s important to take on fuel during your run. Your body can only store enough carbohydrate for 75 -90 minutes of running.

So there is a Clif feed station at approximately six miles giving out Clif Shot Energy Gels and Clif Bloks Energy Chews – these will provide muscles with easy-to-digest carbohydrate in as little as 5-10 minutes.

Is there medical help available?

Yes, medical facilities will be available near to the start and finish line and will be positioned around the course should you require assistance.

Contact a medic or steward if you need help at any time.

Runners at the finishing line in the Great Birmingham Run

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What happens at the finish line?

Don’t stop immediately after you cross the line, you will have to walk a short distance.

Take a drink as soon as you can after crossing the line. Make sure you are fully hydrated with water or squash before consuming any alcohol.

Try to eat some starchy foods within two hours of finishing the event – your muscles can replace energy most efficiently during this post-run window.

No matter what your pace, everyone will get to cross the finish ine. But if you’re running at less than 17 minute per mile pace you may be asked to move on to the footpath for the later sections of the race.

Finishers’ packs will be sorted by T-shirt size and will include a bottle of water, your medal and other treats.

Take the pack that matches the T-shirt size you chose when you entered the event. Junior & Mini runners get a medal and bottle of water.

The Event village, located at Aston University, is open to everyone and features a range of activities and exhibitors for everyone to enjoy.

Stands include: Simplyhealth, Clif, Special K, Alton Sports, Arnold Clark, ENGIE, John West, Wagamama, Scimitar and Nandos.

Where do family and friends meet up with runners?

Family and friends will be able to wait for runners on Jennens Road as they cross the finish line and exit the finish system.

Arrange to meet family and friends at the Meeting Point at Library Boulevard at Aston University.

Look for the large A-Z banners and stand by the one that corresponds to the first letter of your surname.

The family reunion area for the Junior & Mini events is also on Jennens Road.

What are the road closures?

A running event that covers 13 miles of Birmingham roads is going to mean closures to prevent vehicle access, so that participants can move safely around the course.

And there will be bus diversions too.

For all the details, see our guide to road closures and bus diversions for the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run

What’s the weather forecast for Sunday?

Unfortunately, the forecast for Sunday in Birmingham is heavy rain in the morning through till around 1pm, when the rain will ease off but continue until early evening.

Temperatures will reach a maximum of 14C.

So be prepared for cool, wet weather. We will check the forecast again nearer the time for updates.

Birmingham half marathon parking

Coming to the event by car is still an option despite the road closures that will be in place.

It’s recommended to use alternative methods of transport but if you do need to use your car here are a few points to help you: 

• Plan your journey in advance of event day.

• Do not assume that you can use your normal routes into the city centre

• Do not rely on your sat-nav as it could try to take you along routes that are closed for the event.

• Give yourself plenty of travel time on the event morning. There will be other runners coming into the city as well so the roads will get busy. 

Parking is available in the city centre at runners’ own cost and spaces are likely to fill up quickly near the start and finish points.