First-Ever Birmingham Marathon Reaches Entry Limit
Above: Steve Edwards and Shah Begum
The first ever Birmingham International Marathon has now officially FILLED all general entry places after an overwhelming response from runners across the UK and beyond.
The 26.2-mile event takes place on Sunday, October 15, and will be the second event of the newly-formed Great Run British Marathon Series.
More than 9,000 people have signed up for individual entry places. A limited number of charity places are still available.
Runners who missed out are encouraged to sign up for the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run half marathon, which takes place on the same day as the Marathon. All Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run participants will have access to a guaranteed entry window to the 2018 Birmingham International Marathon.
In its first year the Birmingham International Marathon is already one of the UK's top five 26.2-mile challenges.
Starting at the famous Alexander stadium, the home of British Athletics, the course will take in a number of the city's most iconic landmarks before finishing in the city centre.
Whether it's for the challenge, for charity, or just for the fun of it, the marathon will be a notable occasion on the athletics calendar.
In both the men's and women's races, the overall individual winner* of each event will receive £2,000, with £1,000 awarded for second place and £750 for third, with awards stretching right down to £50 for 10th.
Aston mum Shah Begum is planning to tackle her first marathon in Birmingham. Since taking up running just two years ago, she shed six stone and now inspires other running first-timers through inspirational social media messages and community running groups.
And two honorary Brummies are making the staggering 10,000-mile round trip from their home in the Cayman Islands to take on the Birmingham International Marathon.
It will take Chris and Kym Bailey 16 hours to travel from the Caribbean to join thousands taking part.
Chris, a former Hagley RC High School pupil, and Kym, who went to Light Hall School in Shirley and Solihull Sixth Form College, have been living on Grand Cayman for almost six years.
Chris and Kym Bailey
One of the world's leading multi-marathon athletes is on track to break a running record when he takes on the Birmingham International Marathon.
Steve Edwards, from Coventry, is aiming to break the world record for running 800 official marathon races in the fastest average finish time at the first-ever Birmingham International Marathon.
The 54-year-old went into 2017 requiring another 39 marathons averaging times below 3hrs 20mins to achieve the world record and he's on target for his incredible feat.
Birmingham is widely regarded as the birthplace of mass participation long-distance running events and the Birmingham International Marathon will cement the city's position as the European Capital of Running.
Birmingham staged one of the country's first open-to-all marathons, the People's Marathon, which ran from 1980-85 and was organised by late Solihull-based elite runner John Walker.
To sign up for the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run 2017 click here
To sign up for the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great Birmingham Runs click here
* Registered British Club Athletes
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