If your training for the Great Birmingham Run is well underway but you’re tired of the same old routes, we’re here to help. Whether you’re into urban flavour or prefer green spaces, we’ve got something to shake you out of your running rut: three levels of tried and tested Brummie runs.
Here goes…
ENTRY LEVEL
Millennium Point
Start with a trip to Millennium Point and prepare for some impressive urban views. Head past ThinkTank, Millennium Point and head through Eastside Gardens. Make it as steady or as nippy as you like, and repeat as many of these 0.6 mile laps as you fancy – or go faster and build in some speed training.
Edgbaston Reservoir
Go round the reservoir twice and you’ve banked three miles – woop! Plus, it’s flat and traffic free, so there’s nothing to worry about apart from the three Ps: your pace, performance and playlist (or podcast).
Parkrun
There are free, local, friendly runs organised by volunteers as part of Parkrun at Cannon Hill, Edgbaston Reservoir, and other areas around Birmingham. There’s weekly 5k routes to walk, jog or run and they’re a great way to meet like-minded runners.
MEDIUM LEVEL
Sutton Park
Sutton Park is Europe’s largest urban park and offers smooth terrain, stunning views and hardly any traffic. Discover loops, laps and, most importantly, cafés for an invigorating post-run coffee.
The Lickey Hills
Ready to up the challenge level? Head for the Lickey Hills and introduce some hills and steps to your running regime. Feeling brave? Try warming up by racing up Rose Hill and take in the stunning scenery.
The Vale Village
Who doesn’t love a leafy run? Start outside the Mailbox, then take the canal to the University of Birmingham’s Vale Village. Once you’ve lapped the park and headed back to the Mailbox along the canal, you’ve clocked 4 miles.
ADVANCED LEVEL
Hopwood
Hopwood House pub is a great starting point for some stunning countryside running. You’ve got so many options, from heading up Clare Hill and dropping back down through leafy Alvechurch, to heading along the canal towards Tardebigge and freestyling it over the fields.
Cofton Park
Banish memories of grim cross country lessons with a session at Cofton Park – hills, varied terrain, ancient oak trees and gorgeous Warwickshire and Worcestershire views. Lots of scope for different intensity levels and varied distances.
The Waseley Hills Country Park
If you’re really ready to push it to the next level, head to Waseley Hills Country Park and get a taste for trail running. Beautiful and tough in equal measure, you’ll experience stunning views and unrivalled thrills. Good luck!
Follow the Great Birmingham Run on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more training tips and advice ahead of the big day. If you’re yet to sign up you can find our more information, and enter, here.
