Birmingham Half Marathon - Page 4 - Events

krissie :-)

01/06/2008 at 14:05

Mike, do you know the dates of this years cross country league races? Would be good to know to be able to plan ahead.

Mike Hawes

01/06/2008 at 15:34

Just returned for the Great Midlands Fun Run - a quality 8.5 mile course with superb marshalls and organisation. Didn't the bloke who organises this - Stacey - used to have something to do with the early 80's Birmingham peoples marathon?

If they were to fund it I reckon he could pull this off.

That said Brum - and this must be said - is really devoid of a quality half mara route. Point to point from Alexandra stadium to Brum central will take in some really built up areas that frankly aren't worth looking at whilst driving.

Mike Berry

01/06/2008 at 17:40

Krissie, the Midlands XC fixtures can be found here.... http://www.birminghamccleague.co.uk/

I admit that Birmingham could not produce a scenic 1/2 route, but with a bit of thought a flat, traffic free, smoothly organised event could be a credit to the City.

Hey organisers - you're not ticking any boxes so far!

jules_perox

01/06/2008 at 20:10

Re: the scenic route, well the Wolverhampton Half/ Marathon (7/9/08) doesn't promise much in the 'scenic' department but is still held successfully and goes ahead with plenty of support.

Why can't a race in Birmingham? (That was a hypothetical question!)

Shadowed Runner

02/06/2008 at 07:03

Because they can't get their hypothetical fingers out!

I agree about scenery, but as Jules says, WOlves half does exactly the same but that's a great wee half to do (fantastic support along the way).

BCC have really missed the boat here, like a lot of people, I wanted to get behind this and actually support the thing, but our team's going to go to Stroud now do to the uncertainty. We really wanted to run this too, as it has great potential. As for running through scenery, personally, I am not too bothered. Apparently last Mnoday's BUPA 10 000 had some quite scenic parts, but as it was chip-timed, well organised and flat, I was too busy trying to get a PB (which I got!) to notice Downing St, The Eye et al. If Bham's course wasa flat one it would have been the same.

Mike Hawes

02/06/2008 at 07:56

But it must be remembered that Wolverhampton half/full goes out of the town into the outlying areas, albeit on main roads but it is in the country, then there are the small towns before back to the tree lined avenues on the way back to west park. Brum however would mean Alexandra stadium to the City Centre - going into the city via the built up outlying urban areas. It's not as flat as some think either, Brum is set on series of ridges - I used to run for near Walsall to Brum centre regularly and it's quite undulating.

krissie :-)

02/06/2008 at 10:04

Thanks for that Mike.

Well I wont be doing this anyway then if that is the first day of the cross country league. Think I will go for Kenilworth instead. Will look forward to coming out and cheering though.........if it goes ahead.

Emma Brady 2

02/06/2008 at 15:05

HOT OF THE PRESS

I understand from a certain Sarah Guest that a full announcement WILL be made next week. And as for the route, I think it might go out towards edgbaston way before coming back into the city (probably down Broad St), but that's unsubstantiated rumour....

Let's just hope this isn't yet another false alarm for those of us who still want to enter

Sarah Guest 3

02/06/2008 at 21:02

Thanks for updating everyone Emma

I'll confirm the exact date of the launch for you all as soon as I can by posting a message here. If there are any of you that still want to enter and haven't already gone elsewhere for a run then I will personally guarantee you a place.

Emma might well be right about the route too but obviously I couldn't possibly comment.....

Sarah

Dual Heritage

02/06/2008 at 21:31

Waiting anxiously..........My finger is ready to click enter on the Carver Wolverhampton 1/2 but Id rather support the Brum one if its gonna happen.

Shadowed Runner

03/06/2008 at 06:48

Sarah - you're def it's going ahead? If so, we'll hang fire one more week or two.

The Evil Pixie pirate

pirate

04/06/2008 at 19:20

oh fantastic I've been looking forward to this as I so want to do this!!

I'll be watching!!

BigMunnki

04/06/2008 at 20:46

I've been holding on for this for a long time!! And have turned down other things. I hope it is worth it!!

barking

04/06/2008 at 21:00

Continues to lurk

The Evil Pixie pirate

pirate

04/06/2008 at 22:02

well I'll be doing this in preference to Leicester for sure!

Plodding Hippo

04/06/2008 at 22:04

eh?

where the feck am i?

The Evil Pixie pirate

pirate

04/06/2008 at 22:06

Benz!!
I's just checking that the rumour of a Brum half is true

Sarah I look forward to the announcement which is I believe the same day as Leicester openning!!

Kavlar

04/06/2008 at 23:16

This race is going to be amazing. Although I don't live in Brum anymore you gotta remember that the city put on regular top class athletics so I'm sure they'll deliver and i reckon the delay must be for a big reason, I'd guess that it'll be a big announcement with a huge national or international profile and significance and will be well worth waiting for. I've just done the Great Midlands Fun Run and this step up will be just what I need. I can't wait to run this race in my hometown, it'll be part of history! I urge everyone to get behind it, if you've booked elsewhere on the sameday, cancel!! Birmingham's Got Running Talent...

Shadowed Runner

05/06/2008 at 06:10

Chio - like you i am excited about getting behind a home race.

I'm looking forward to hearing about the route. I want to get behind Bham - I want the city to be firmly put back on the running map.

Here's hoping. There's a LOT of support for this out there waiting to happen, let's hope the publicity pendulum gets going again on opening!

Sarah Guest 3

05/06/2008 at 08:34

Hi Everyone

You didn't hear it from me but the official launch for the Birmingham Half Marathon will be on Wednesday 11 June. We'll announce our sponsor, unveil the route and open entries on this date. www.birminghamhalfmarathon.com will be the official website and yes I know it doesn't look like much at the moment but it will look very different on Wednesday.

I know it has been a long time coming but this delay has allowed us to secure a five year sponsorship deal so hopefully you'll understand why we have been holding out until now. We wanted to secure the future of this event so that we can build on it year on year.

If you have any problems entering feel free to e-mail me at /forum/smilies/confused_smiley.gif[/img]arah_guest@birmingham.gov.uk]sarah_guest@birmingham.gov.uk.

Thanks for your patience.

Sarah