Birmingham Running Festival
From RunThrough Events
- Date Sun 11th January 2026
- Time 09:00
- Location Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
- Price £7.00 - £152.00
- Races 5 races
- Distances 5km, 10km, Half Marathon
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Event summary
Get ready to lace up your running shoes and kickstart your year at the Birmingham Running Festival, organized by RunThrough Events! On Sunday, January 11th, 2026, join fellow runners at Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, for an exciting day of fitness and fun. This vibrant event supports Birmingham Children’s Hospital and features a variety of race distances to cater to all abilities, including a Half Marathon at 9:00 am, a 10K at 9:45 am, a 5K at 9:55 am, and a Junior Race at 11:30 am.
Experience the stunning scenery of one of the UK's largest urban parks, just a stone's throw from Birmingham city centre, while you challenge yourself on a scenic multi-terrain route. With elevation gains ranging from 14m for the Junior Race to 306m for the Half Marathon, there's a perfect race for everyone. Don't miss this chance to be part of a fantastic community event and make a difference for a great cause!
Experience the stunning scenery of one of the UK's largest urban parks, just a stone's throw from Birmingham city centre, while you challenge yourself on a scenic multi-terrain route. With elevation gains ranging from 14m for the Junior Race to 306m for the Half Marathon, there's a perfect race for everyone. Don't miss this chance to be part of a fantastic community event and make a difference for a great cause!
Birmingham Running Festival
Sun 11th January 2026
Organiser's Description
Kickstart Your Year with the Birmingham Running Festival In Support of Birmingham Children’s Hospital on Sunday 11th January 2026
Kick off the new year with a running challenge at the Birmingham Running Festival in support of Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Held at Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield, this event offers 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Junior races on a scenic multi-terrain route.
Take in the natural beauty of one of the UK’s largest urban parks, just minutes from Birmingham city centre, and follow in the footsteps of GB greats like Sir Mo Farah and Andy Vernon.
Race Distance & Start Times:
09:00 am - Half Marathon
Elevation Gain: 306m
09:45 am - 10k
Elevation Gain: 144m
09:55 am - 5k
Elevation Gain: 72m
11:30 am - Junior Race
Elevation Gain: 14m
Kick off the new year with a running challenge at the Birmingham Running Festival in support of Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Held at Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield, this event offers 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Junior races on a scenic multi-terrain route.
Take in the natural beauty of one of the UK’s largest urban parks, just minutes from Birmingham city centre, and follow in the footsteps of GB greats like Sir Mo Farah and Andy Vernon.
Race Distance & Start Times:
09:00 am - Half Marathon
Elevation Gain: 306m
09:45 am - 10k
Elevation Gain: 144m
09:55 am - 5k
Elevation Gain: 72m
11:30 am - Junior Race
Elevation Gain: 14m
Races
-
5k
Sun 11th January 2026 (09:55)
£26.00
Booking for more than 1? -
10k
Sun 11th January 2026 (09:45)
£30.00
Booking for more than 1? -
Half Marathon
Sun 11th January 2026 (09:00)
£34.00
Booking for more than 1? -
Group Booking (6 Places)
£152.00
-
Junior Race
Sun 11th January 2026 (11:30)
£7.00
Booking for more than 1?
Route and elevation
The entire course is inside Sutton park on the roads/paths not on grass.
Each Kilometre will be accurately marked out and we have plenty of helpers to keep you quite literally on track and encourage you on your way to that chequered flag finish.
The race involves laps around the Park. There will be 1 lap for the 5k, 2 laps for the 10k and 4 laps for the Half Marathon.
Reviews
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4.8
27 reviews
I really enjoyed this event, well organised from the start to finish. Helpers were brilliant, even in a wind chill factor of -5 they stayed the course to cheers all the runners on. Toilets and parking really good. One point for the next race, this was my first visit to the park so better signage at the roundabout would have been helpful. Regarding the course, obviously challenging given the weather, but also some challenging hills which at times felt brutal. Very narrow and uneven roads made it a challenge navigating around visitors, not complaining but an observation. I would strongly recommend this event to others but for me a return will need to be during the nicer weather. Well done team and thank you to all volunteers, great job. Ian
Sarah
·3 months ago
Excellent Event. This was my first event. Very Well organised. Lots of support for runners. Can’t wait to be back in February 2025.
Minttu
·7 months ago
Very well organised event. Race pack collection fetch went smoothly and there was no queque. Great that distance markers were big, coloured and placed after every km. Cheering delighted. Post race goods big plus and medal is very cool.
Very well organised from parking to end of race. Good signposting and very well considered.
Good pathways (no grass or loose stones), a few hills to keep it interesting and superb hydration stations.
Medal was very very good quality and I love it!
Would definitely do it again!
Michal
·2 years ago
Great experience.
Very well organised, friendly staff, can’t ask for more.
Really well organised especially with the weather being so changeable. This was my first event so I didn't know what to expect: their stands offering hot drinks and cakes was very much needed, the sign in areas were clearly sign posted, and the physio tent looked like it was being well used. It was a great atmosphere on the day and the volunteers really fed into that, it was a terrific day and I'd happily run it again!
This was my third race in Sutton Park, and I did the half marathon this time. Course consists of 4 laps of a 5km run through the park, with an extra out and back at the start for the half marathon runners to make up the difference. Always enjoy the races here as I get to see some lovely views on my way round. This route has a few big hills, the one near the start is especially steep for me personally. The marshalls are fantastic, really supportive of all the runners and were a big help in keeping me motivated when I was struggling. They seem to really care about what they're doing. The weather was particularly bad that day with strong winds but they didn't seem phased and still stand at the sidelines cheering everyone with enthusiasm.
I unfortunately didn't get a time as I completed the half in a little over 3 hours. (3 hours 4 minutes according to my Strava) I was able to finish and got a medal, but was registered as a DNF on the offical race results. Doesn't bother me as I just wanted to finish but might be something for the slower runners like myself to bear in mind 🙋♀️.
Portaloos and water station at the start/finish line, but none on the course.
All in all a great experience and a lovely morning made fun by the dedicated marshals. See you at the next one!
Tess
·5 years ago
Well organised. This was the first time I have ran at Sutton Park, the course was very nice although there were a lot more hills than I thought there would be. The event was well organised and plenty of people to encourage you along
Stuart
·5 years ago
Superb evdnt. Well organised, helpful staff and a great location
Steve
·5 years ago
Brilliant event. Excellent friendly marshalling. Fantastic medal and free goodies at the end
Birmingham Running Festival
