It’s impossible to describe that finish line feeling until you’ve experienced it for yourself. But one thing’s for sure: once you’ve reached the end of the AJ Bell Great Birmingham 10k or half marathon running challenge, you’re going to want to celebrate your incredible achievement.
Of course, your first destination needs to be the Après Zone – Great Run’s very own after-party, and the perfect place to meet family and friends, relax and recharge. Here, you’ll find music, food and drink stalls and plenty of seating, so rest your legs and soak up the carnival atmosphere – you deserve it. Afterwards, make your way to the charity village, where plenty of goodies await runners raising cash for good causes.
But where to next? Well, for Brummie runners, the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run ends in Smithfield – the site of an exciting new 17-hectare development which will include an outdoor gathering and event space, Festival Square, plenty of green spaces plus food and drink outlets.
In the meantime, there’s also Digbeth close at hand – the city’s unofficial arts and cultural quarter named the ‘coolest neighbourhood in Britain’ by the Sunday Times. Here, you’ll find independent cafés and bars with a casual, laidback vibe – so no need to worry about turning up in your finisher t-shirt and medal.
If you’re heading Digbeth way, you’ll be spoilt for choice for Sunday afternoon dining and leisure options. Top of the list should be the fantastic Baked in Brick at Custard Factory, which cooks its legendary Neopolitan-style pizzas out of a modified Mini Cooper! While at Custard Factory check out the NQ64 Arcade Bar, where you can keep the Great Run competitive spirit going by taking on friends and family on every classic and retro arcade game there is.
Across the street on Floodgate Street, check out The Floodgate, a neon-lit experiential bar with baseball, curling, raceway, arcades, and everything else in between!
Returning closer to the Smithfield post-run village there’s also the Bullring, Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter and the Gay Village within walking distance, giving you plenty of vibrant options for extending the celebrations into the afternoon and beyond.
At Bullring, stock up on new running gear at the new Nike Concept Store – the first outside of London, right next to the iconic Bullring Bull, or get some new-season looks at the new Pull&Bear and Bershka stores. You can also take in the city’s ultimate immersive adventure golf experience. Explore two indoor 18-hole mini golf courses in an interactive jungle – battling mystic legends and more!
Just yards from the Great Birmingham Run Smithfield finish line you’ll find colourful Chinatown and vibrant Southside and its mouthwatering world cuisines – choose from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian and many more to reward your half-marathon efforts.
On Hurst Street you’ll be able to visit the National Trust Back-to-Backs where you can step back in Brummie time and experience life in the city’s last surviving court of back-to-back houses, taking you from the 1840s through to the 1970s.
Finally, if you’re travelling to the Great Birmingham Run by train from New Street, you can’t miss Ozzy the Bull at the station concourse. The star of the 2022 Commonwealth Games now has a permanent home at the station and you’ll be able to snap a selfie as the perfect memento of your time in Birmingham.
So Brummie runners, get on your marks, get set and party – we’ll see you at the finish line.
