Thousands Run To The Beat Of The Great Birmingham 10K
This year’s Great Birmingham 10K proved a smash hit as over 7,000 people took part in the run with music at its heart.
Runners of all abilities took part in the music-themed 6.2mile event from Jennens Road to its finish on Broad Street in its second staging in the city.
The event is organised by The Great Run Company, who also stage the Great Birmingham Run in October and recently launched the brand new Birmingham International Marathon, to be staged next year.
Among the many celebrities taking part were former Birmingham City stars Geoff Horsfield and Michael Johnson, ex Aston Villa hero Ian Taylor, Birmingham-born TV and radio host Adrian Chiles, and England and Warwickshire cricketer Jonathan Trott.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Raymond Hassall, ran and walked the 10K route to raise funds for his charities of the year, and Handsworth-born Olympic medallist Ian Stewart also took part.
Former Apprentice contestant Gary Poulton completed the course in a mankini, while ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley, a regular at Great Run events and avid fundraiser, and triathlon star Jodie Stimpson were also involved in the event.
Reggae legends UB40, Robin and Duncan Campbell, Brian Travers, Earl Falconer, James Brown and Norman Hassan, cheered on the runners as honorary starters of the event, with Britain’s Got Talent star Connie Talbot serenading runners and spectators alike ahead of the start. There was no shortage of musical motivation as each wave was set off to tunes from a different decade, with 70’s, 80’s and 90’s ‘fashion’ thrown in.
The first male across the finish line was Brit Jack Gray in a time of 31:45, with Aaron Bienenfeld and Sascha Strotzel of Germany following in 32:12 and 32.20 respectively.
The first female finisher was Emma Clayton in a time of 34:27, closely followed by Jodie Stimpson in 35:17 and Leonie Balter in 37:09, which overall resulted in Team Birmingham winning the Birmingham European Capital of Running 10k Cup.
David Hart, communications director for The Great Run Company, said: “It was great to see so many people not only taking part but coming along to support their friends and family too.
“With the musical theme loud and proud, it was a day that everyone could enjoy and we hope to see as many people back on the start line next year.”
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