The big day is nearly here, and we want to help you with any event day questions so you can focus on the important things: soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying your run.
We’ve got all the info you need here in this guide, but you can also check out greatrun.org for last-minute changes. To follow all the action as it happens, join the conversation on social media - just make sure you use
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Timetable
07.30 Information Point open (Victoria Square)
07.30 Start assembly area open (ORANGE, GREEN, PINK WAVE)
08.20 Warm up starts (ORANGE, GREEN, PINK WAVE)
08:30 ORANGE WAVE START (Half marathon & 10K)
08.46 GREEN WAVE START (Half marathon & 10k)
09.02 PINK WAVE START (Half marathon & 10k)
09.20 Start assembly area open (PURPLE, RED, BLUE WAVE)
09.50 Warm up starts (PURPLE, RED, BLUE WAVE)
10.00 PURPLE WAVE START (Half marathon & 10k)
10.16 RED WAVE START (Half marathon & 10k)
10.32 BLUE WAVE START (Half marathon & 10k)
15.30 Event site and Information Point closed (Smithfield)
Travel
Our top tip: where possible, make use of the public transport options available on the day and leave plenty of time to get to the start line. You can plan your journey here and check for any live and planned disruptions here.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) will provide updates across the weekend, you can follow their social accounts for more information.
There will be several road closures in place for the weekend. You can see a full list here.
There is no official event day parking and most of the car parks close to the start/finish line will be affected by the road closures. Allow extra time for your journey and plan your route into the city considering the road closures and normal access being restricted.
If you are planning to drive, be aware that Birmingham has a Clean Air Zone in place for sections of the city centre. The Clean Air Zone is signposted, and if your vehicle doesn’t meet emissions standards then you’ll have to pay. Find more information here.
Any travel updates will be added to the website, so please check the event page here ahead of the event.
Transport For West Midlands
Information Point
The Information Point is there for last-minute queries, anyone who hasn’t received their race number, or race pack collection for anyone who enters after the cut-off date. Look out for the Great Run branded marquee.
We highly recommend coming to see us on Saturday because our Information Points on Sunday will be extremely busy and there will be queues.
Location Victoria Square, in front of Town Hall
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Opening Times
Saturday 3rd May: 10am - 4pm
Sunday 4th May: 7.30am - 10.30am
For any queries on Sunday 4th May after 10.30am please visit the information point at Smithfield.
Location
Smithfield
Opening Times
Sunday 4th May: 9am - 3.30pm
Safety Pins
No safety pins for your race number? No worries. You can collect some from the stand next to the Information Point without having to queue.
Wave & Start Time
Your wave colour and start time can be found on your run number, which should arrive in the post approximately 2 weeks before the event. Once you’ve received it, you have everything you need for event day, and you don’t need to visit the Information Point to register on the day. Simply attach your run number (which has your timing chip attached) to the front of your running top with safety pins and head to the start line.
Making your way to the start
The start line is on Broad Street adjacent to Centenary Square. What3words ///will.pardon.soap
When making your way to the start line, we ask that you follow the walking route assigned to your wave colour.
& BLUE
St, Brunswick St & Oozells Way
St, St Vincent St & Sheepcote St
All walking routes will be signposted on the day. See the start map for details.
Walking Routes to and from the Information Point
Please note - Centenary Square will house another event alongside the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run, so please make your way to your assembly areas as soon as you can using the above walking routes.
Baggage
Baggage buses are located at the top of Broad Street, towards five Ways roundabout, at the back of the assembly area. What3words:/// rises.heavy.rings. See the start map for details.
There will be 11 numbered and colour coded buses. Please use the colour that matches your run number (below) and remember which numbered one you use.
Baggage Bus No Wave Colour
1 - 6 ORANGE, GREEN & PINK
7 - 11 PURPLE, RED & BLUE
Please note: Buses 1-6 will depart at 08:30, buses 7-11 will depart at 10:00, please make sure you have dropped your bags before this time.
Fill in your baggage label (tear off from your run number) and make sure it is secured to your bag. You’ll need your run number to gain access to the buses to drop off and collect your bag.
Baggage buses will be there waiting for you to collect your bag at the finish in Smithfield.
• Sorry, but the baggage buses are not for changing.
• Please make room for other runners as soon as you’ve dropped off your bag - thank you!
• Please don’t leave valuables in your bags - this is a self-service system and, although there are security staff present, we can’t accept any responsibility for lost or stolen items.
Your Run Number
Your run number must only be worn by you on the day, and it should match the master number on your covering letter. If it’s different, please contact Customer Services here.
Please don’t swap, copy, or change this number - passing your number on to someone else could put them at risk from illness or injury if they’re not properly prepared. If your run number hasn’t arrived through the post, please visit the Information Point to collect a replacement.
Please Note: if you secured your entry after 10 am on Friday 25 April, your run number hasn’t been posted out and must be collected from the Information Point. We are also unable to send race packs outside of the UK as we cannot guarantee their delivery, so will need to be collected from the Information Point.
Timing
Your timing chip is attached to the back of your run number. Please don’t remove the chip – it will affect the accuracy of your time. The chip will automatically record your time for you, and you don’t need to do anything else. Your chip doesn’t need to be returned at the end of the run.
You can access your results on the AJ Bell Great Run Series App, or on our website here after the event.
Warm Up
A warm-up artist will be on site to get you warmed up and stretched out (see timetable for warm-up time). Waves set off separately to help regulate the flow of runners through the course.
Pacers
Achieve your best time with the help of the SOLGAR pacemakers. Follow a pacemaker marked with the time you want to achieve and pace your run to perfection.
Running with friends Walking
If you want to run with a friend but have different coloured run numbers, you can drop back to run together in the same wave, but not move forward.
If you plan on walking or walking/running the event, please start at the rear of your wave and stay to the left-hand side of the road. If you’re walking at less than 17 minutes per mile, you may be asked to move on to the footpath for the later sections of the race.
Start Map
BAGGAGE BUSES
Course Map
On the course
As 10K runners pass 8K and half marathon runners pass 5 miles, you’ll reach Belgrave Interchange roundabout. 10K runners use this as a turning point to head towards the finish and half marathon runners continue out along Pershore Road. Please make sure you take a moment to “get in lane” so you follow the correct course. There is plenty of signage to let you know which way to go and Marshals to lend a helping hand if required.
As you head towards the finish on Sherlock Street the course narrows to a single lane, please keep to the left-hand side unless you’re overtaking. This area can be busy as half marathon runners rejoin the course with 10K runners, so please be mindful of other runners around you. If you’re running/ walking with friends, please keep to the left-hand side to allow others to pass.
Finish Map
At the finish line
Don’t stop immediately – please keep walking for a short distance so that you don’t block other runners. No matter your pace, everyone has run the same event, and everyone will get to cross the finish line.
Medical Support
Medical facilities will be available near to the start and finish line and will be positioned around the course should you require assistance. Please contact a medic or steward if you need help at any time.
Toilets
There will be toilets at the start in multiple locations along the assembly area (see start map) and in Smithfield to use on arrival and after your run. There will also be toilets available on the course at each water station on Tennant Street (10km & HM), Pebble Mill Road (HM only), and Queen’s Ride (HM only). Toilet facilities will be busy before and after the run, so please allow plenty of time.
Hydration
Aqua Pura water stations will be situated at key points on the route to help you stay hydrated (see map here).
Whilst you’re running, remember to drink, drain and aim your water bottles into our on-course bottle collection points.
The bottles we use are 100% recycled and recyclable, with a flip cap to ensure it stays with the bottle all the way to the collection point.
Finishers’ Packs
As you enter the secondary finish (see finish map), you’ll collect your finisher pack. Finisher packs will be sorted by t-shirt size and will include a bottle of water, your medal, and other treats. Please take the pack that matches the t-shirt size you chose when you entered the event.
This area can get very busy, so we ask that you keep moving through the finish system to exit into the event village.
Please note the Pip & Nut Peanut Butter Stuffed Oat Bars are not suitable for peanut, oat, tree nut, milk or soya allergy sufferers.
T-Shirt Opt Out
If you selected ‘No T-Shirt’ at the time of entering the event, you will not receive a finishers’ t-shirt. Please follow the signage to the ‘No T-Shirt’ lane. This will be clearly indicated on your running number and there will be volunteers and stewards on hand to help direct you.
PLEASE NOTE: If you selected no T-Shirt, you cannot take a T-Shirt on the day. There are only enough on site for all those who requested one at the time of entering.
Event & charity village
The Event Village, located in Smithfield, is open to everyone and features a range of activities and exhibitors for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to pop in to check out everything on site. Family and friends will be able to wait for runners in Smithfield as they cross the finish line and exit the finish system.
Après Run
The fun doesn’t stop after you’ve crossed the finish line. Continue the high-energy celebration and embrace the post-run high by stepping into our Après Run Zone. We’ve got a Heart Radio DJ truck providing club anthems, lots of fun partner activities and food and drink options on site.
Fundraising
If you haven’t already, make sure you set up your official fundraising page on Enthuse, our official fundraising platform. Personalise your page with an image, your story and share to friends and family who can donate to your chosen charity. Now is the perfect time to get started on your fundraising journey or have a last push to raise some money for your chosen cause ahead of the big day.
Click here to start fundraising
Meeting Point
Please arrange to meet family and friends at the Meeting Point in Smithfield. Look for the large A-Z banners and stand by the one that corresponds to the first letter of your surname. See finish map for details.
Missing Persons
A missing person point is located within the Event Village, in Smithfield. If you come across a missing person please contact the nearest event steward, official, or police officer. See finish map for details.
Official Photos
Event photos will be going live from the moment you pass a Marathon Photos Live photographer on the course. Don’t forget to check them out here when you finish and share your run number with your friends and family, and they can register to be notified as soon as your photos are available.
Runners Reward
You have exclusive access to Great Run Rewards powered by Endurance Zone. Great Run Rewards gives you access to a selection of fantastic discounts from our friends at Endurance Zone. Browse through hundreds of offers from a range of lifestyle, sport, fitness and outdoor brands.
Recycling
We’re constantly reviewing our sustainability and recycling practices and are making a concerted effort to reduce the amount of waste from plastic and other materials across the entire event.
We work with local partners to remove waste (plastic, cardboard, wooden pallets, medals and signage) from the run site. We reuse generic signage and keep using it for as long as we can, and our outdated signage is fully recycled. Clothing discarded by runners at the start of the race is collected and donated to local charities.
• We ask that you please use the recycling bins on site to discard any waste accordingly.
• As part of our sustainability drive, there will be no bottled water at the start area. Please arrive hydrated, or bring your own supply, which you may carry with you while you run. A water refill point will be located in Centenary Square and Smithfield
• There will be a number of Aqua Pura water stations along the route (see map for details)
• Look out for our new on-course bottle collection points after each water station, and drink, drain and aim to help us recycle your Aqua Pura bottle.
• If you opt to bring your own standard, single-use plastic water bottle, please make sure you throw it in the clearly marked recycling bins that will be available in the start and finish area.
Have a happy & healthy run
Please talk to your doctor before the event if you have any long-term health conditions or any health concerns. Don’t run if you feel unwell or have been ill recently. If you experience heart palpitations, light headedness or dizziness, chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, excessive wheezing, or severe joint and muscle pain during or after your run, this can be a sign of a serious condition.
Seek advice on taking part in the event after a bout of flu or gastroenteritis. Don’t be tempted to start just because you’ve collected sponsorship to raise money for charity - staying fit and well is the most important thing.
Event day tips
Make sure you’re comfortable. Ideally, run in your shoes for around a month before your Great Run challenge.
Stay warm. Bring old clothes to wear on the start line and throw them away when you start (we donate these to charity).
Avoid chafing. Apply Vaseline to any areas prone to chafing – e.g. groin, upper thighs, under your arms, around your bra band or toes.
Protect your skin. Use weather resistant sun cream.
If the first few miles are crowded, don’t tire yourself out dodging in and out. Try to maintain a steady, even pace to help you enjoy the event.
When you finish, collect your bag ASAP. Put on some warm, dry clothing and don’t get cold. Take a drink as soon as you can after crossing the finish line.
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.
Make sure you’re fully hydrated with water or squash before consuming any alcohol.
In the weeks leading up to the event, the colour of your urine is a useful indicator of hydration. Pale straw-coloured water is ideal.
During your run, drink when you need to. Don’t take big gulps if you’re not thirsty – you could put yourself in a condition called hyponatraemia where your body salts become diluted, possibly causing confusion and vomiting.
Make sure you know where the drink stations are on route. Water will be available, but only take a drink if you need one.
British Heart Foundation is the official charity partner of the AJ Bell Great Run Series in 2025.
A massive thanks to all of our incredible runners taking on the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run. You’re helping us to get one step closer to a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases.
It’s not too late to join Team BHF and together, we can power lifesaving research to give people more time with the ones they love.
Tailored training plans, guidance from world-leading experts and an inspiring community. Join Runner’s World Club for everything you need to be the best runner you can be.
Built for the long run
SHORTS
The lightweight, low-profile modular short and tight with ultrasonic-welded seams for next-to-skin comfort that goes the distance. (shorts and tights sold separately)
Good Luck and enjoy your day!
from the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run team and our partners
