Birmingham certainly embraced its big running weekend in 2026. The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run sold out in advance, with the 10K and Half Marathon taking over the city on Sunday 3 May after younger runners had enjoyed their own Junior and Mini events at Alexander Stadium the previous day.

For the main event, Centenary Square provided the start before runners headed through the Jewellery Quarter and past city landmarks including St Paul's Square, the Mailbox, Grand Central, St Martin's Church, Southside and Digbeth. Half Marathon runners extended their tour into south Birmingham, taking in Cannon Hill Park, Selly Park and Edgbaston Stadium.

One of the significant changes for 2026 came at the other end of the course. After passing the distinctive Selfridges Building, runners headed along Jennens Road towards a new finish and event village at Aston University, creating a focal point where runners, supporters and charities could continue the celebrations.

Now Birmingham gets to look forward again. The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run returns on Sunday 2 May 2027, with both the 10K and Half Marathon back on the programme and early entries already open.

The city-centre formula remains central to the appeal, with the current 2027 route information again taking runners from Centenary Square through many of Birmingham's best-known districts and landmarks before the finish at Aston University.

There is a useful lesson from 2026 for anyone considering joining them. With both distances selling out before race weekend, waiting until next spring could mean waiting too long.

After another packed weekend of running in 2026, Birmingham already has its next Bank Holiday running date in the diary. On 2 May 2027, the city's streets belong to the runners once again.

You can enter the 2027 event via the runABC race hub here.

Image courtesy Great Run Company.