Latest news with #AJBellGreatBirminghamRun
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Thousands in Birmingham bring the Star Wars force to streets for city run
Thousands of runners have taken to a city's streets for the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run with one group, a paramedics team, finishing to a "heroes' welcome".This year's half marathon and 10km races saw 16,000 people take part with the fastest runners finishing in "amazing times", organisers said, as fancy dress costumes, including Star Wars, were singled out for turned out in force with many bringing along banners and placards to cheer competitors runners made their way around the city centre route, race organisers posted on Facebook: "Thousands of runners. One incredible city. Unlimited energy. You've got this Birmingham." Times for the top three runners in the men's half-marathon were Alexander Lanz finishing in one hour eight minutes one second, Aidan Banfield seven seconds later and James Douglas a further six seconds back. Times for the top three runners in the women's half-marathon were Georgie Campbell, finishing in one hour 21 minutes 22 seconds, Charlotte Bush in one hour 21 minutes 56 seconds and Olivia Bailey one hour 24 minutes 26 seconds. Finishing times for the top three in each category were posted on social media by organisers. Jack Gray was fastest in the men's 10K with a time of 29 minutes 48 seconds, and Hayley Carruthers came top of the women's 10K with a race time of 36 minutes 29 seconds. Fancy dress costumes in the race included Darth Vader as the run was held on the unofficial Star Wars day - 4 May - named after the pun May the Fourth be with you.A post on the official Facebook page read: "The runners are strong and so are the costumes. Everyone bringing the Force (and the fancy dress) at the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run today!" After a paramedics' crew set out to run the 13.1 miles in full uniform, carrying equipment and a stretcher, organisers wrote: "They've only went and done it!"The crew from West Midlands Ambulance have absolutely smashed today's AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run and finished with a heroes' welcome in Smithfield!"The team completed the race in 02:36:05 – unbelievable achievement!" Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Road to close for Great Birmingham Run
Thousands of people are expected to put on their running shoes for the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run at the event will see 16,000 runners competing in either a half marathon or 10km race around the city centre on Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company, said: "Birmingham has an amazing energy and the support on the streets is always second to none."The route starts at Centenary Square at 08:30 BST and visits areas including the Jewellery Quarter, St Paul's Square, the Mailbox, Grand Central, Edgbaston and Cannon Hill Park. Organisers said the race had sold out after thousands of participants, from first-time runners to experienced half-marathoners took up the accommodate the run, road closures will also be in place from 04:30, with them reopening in stages between 12:00 and 16:00 on the following roads:Broad StreetGreat Charles StreetNewhall StreetColmore RowChurch StreetLivery StreetSnow Hill QueenswayGreat Barr StreetHockley CircusPershore RoadThe full list of road closures can be found at here. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Metro
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
I'm a surfing holy bishop who found my calling running ultra-marathons
A bishop has found a calling outside the church — hitting the terrain in gruelling ultra-marathons up to 100km long. The Right Reverend Dr Michael Volland is also a keen surfer when it comes to life away from his Church of England posting in Birmingham. His lengthy roll of endurance events includes the epic 100km Race to the Stones along the ancient Ridgeway and he is due to trade robes for running gear at Sunday's AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run. 'I like the sense of freedom that comes from just leaving your house and running down the street,' Dr Volland explained. 'I value the space to think and look around. 'After a run I often feel more mentally alert and have a sense of inner peace and calm. Running is a gift from God. It creates space to think, pray and be refreshed and it gives me a lot of joy.' The married father-of-three is training for his 17th ultramarathon alongside taking part in Sunday's event for 16,000 people of all ages and abilities. Away from the land-locked city, he loves surfing and has been a member of a charity called Christian Surfers UK for 30 years. The clergyman explained that exercise and his spiritual calling have more in common than might meet the eye. 'I'm generally more joyful when I find time to run,' he said. 'In that sense, running is essential to being a good bishop. 'People are sometimes surprised that I find time to run. 'Most people then tell me that they wish they could find time. 'I try and encourage them to choose to give it a try. 'You don't have to run far or fast. Even 20 minutes down the road and back can be a positive thing and will make a difference.' Dr Volland's first taste of running was through athletics at school. 'After that, I didn't really run until I was in my mid-40s, when I signed up for a half marathon,' he explained. 'While I was training for that I decided to sign up for an ultra-marathon. 'I completed my first three ultras the following year, including the 100km Race to the Stones.' Last year, when he became Bishop of Birmingham, he decided to sign up for the Great Birmingham Run half marathon. 'I thought it would be good to take part in an exciting mass-participation event that would also help me see a bit of the city and raise money for an important cause,' he said. 'It was a beautiful day and the atmosphere was superb. 'It was very well organised and there were lots of people supporting on the streets.' This year, Dr Volland is running the 13.1 miles to raise money for a charity called Thrive Together Birmingham. 'Thrive Together Birmingham does a brilliant job of supporting people on the margins,' he said. 'They bring together individuals and churches to address poverty and help communities to flourish. 'Because I believe that God loves Birmingham and the people who live here, I am committed to playing my part alongside others – including Thrive – in building a flourishing Birmingham.' While the bishop sees running as a gift from God, he will be leaving his cassock at home. 'I will be aiming for a reasonable time, so will be in my running gear and not my robes!' he smiled. More Trending The half marathon is part of a weekend celebration of running events being held in the city over the Bank Holiday weekend. On Saturday, children have the chance to run at the home of the city's Commonwealth Games heroics — the Alexander Stadium — in junior and mini runs. The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run half marathon and 10k are due to start on Sunday outside the Library of Birmingham and take in landmarks including the world-famous Jewellery Quarter before a grandstand finish in Smithfield. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Windrush Day: The moment my grandmother would never again call Jamaica home MORE: 'It all started from us': 50 years of sound system history at recreated family home MORE: We live yards from colossal HS2 building work – here's what we really think
BBC News
22-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Rugby coach who broke neck enters Great Birmingham Run
When Joel Garrity fractured his neck playing rugby, he walked off the pitch unaware of the severity of his injury. Two days later doctors discovered he also suffered from a rare bone condition, fibrous dysplasia - which means affected bones are weak and Doncaster resident was referred to Birmingham's Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, for complex spinal surgery to fuse his vertebrae and stabilise his neck. Three years on, to thank the doctors and nurses for his "incredible" recovery, the 33-year-old has signed up for the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run on 4 May. Mr Garrity, who was captain of the Yorkshire Men's League team, will be running the half-marathon with his twin brothers Mitchell and Curtis. While he can no longer play rugby or any contact sport, he has now become the team's assistant brothers will be joined by 16,000 other runners for the event's biggest in a decade - which includes a city-centre 10k and half marathon through the south of Garrity said he wanted to thank the "amazing" medical team at Birmingham Royal who cared for brother Mitchell Garrity, said: "Joel has dealt with his life changing injury amazingly well."He has taken every challenge, appointment and surgery in his stride, one step at a time. As a family we are so proud of how he's handled the whole situation."We have always been really close as brothers. We all really do have a mutual respect. Whether that's rugby, work or day to day life." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
