A Great Birmingham Run...

By Emma Brady on Oct 27, 08 03:22 PM in

And I wouldn't be surprised if the Bupa/Great Run bods try to snap up Birmingham's newly inaugurated half marathon for their portfolio in future.
Why? Other than it proves that when the city council put their minds to they can put on a brilliant event or show, as only Brum can.
But the expertise of the Great Run group would help elevate this city road race from being a regional must-run to a national fixture.
Considering that next year Birmingham will host the World Half Marathon Championships, I suspect it may only be a matter of time.
But despite all this praise, and it's not all a result of post-race endorphins coursing through my veins, there are one or two glitches that need to be ironed out.

Firstly, it appears no-one thought to provide any cover for nearly 9,000 runners at the start, if it was wet. And it was v.wet. Runners could not get into the sports centre and opening the stadium's loos appeared to be something of an after thought.
And any race organiser will tell you that safety pins are ESSENTIAL.
Yes race instructions may state bring the pins provided, but there are ALWAYS runners who need more, whether its a trail run attracting 400 entrants, or a major event like Birmingham.
And having to appeal to the amassed runners for a personal trainer or fitness instructor to come forward to conduct a pre-race warm-up - only for the start to be delayed - did smack a bit of last-minute-itis.
But these are minor gripes.
The course was challenging, perhaps a bit more than I expected, and the crowd support was fantastic - and very loud, which best befits Broad Street!
It was a fantastic day, and I can't wait to be part of next year's event.
But in the mean time I'm back in "feet up, glass of wine and box of chocs" mode! Well I think, in 1.49.44 I earned it.

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1 Comments

stoo said:

I totally agree with your comments. I contacted The Great Run people and asked when there was going to be a Great Birmingham/Great Midlands Run and they replied with the answer that there was nothing in the current pipline, but if they got hold of it, then I am sure some of the problems would get sorted, all be it at a bigger cost to the runner.

It was a great day for Birmingham and went off with minor hitches. I do wonder if the organisers actually attended other races to experience the way things are done.

I feel that the information at the start of the race was lacking as was the number of toilets - approx 100 or so for 9000 + runners and their supporters. As to the reports of 50,000 spectators all around the course, where were they?

I think that the route excludes large numbers of people from attending and supporting the runners as the main routes into the city were closed off and the residential areas are few and far between. The support that was there was brilliant, especially from all the marshals.

Will I enter next year? Yes I will and I hope that many other people enter as well.

Stoo
xx

October 29, 2008 6:46 PM