The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run 2024 – the Midlands’ premier mass-participation event – is now less than three months away, which means training plans will be in full swing for thousands of half marathon and 10k runners.

Taking place on Sunday 5 May, the Great Birmingham Run is a run for everyone, of all ages and abilities, whether it’s your first 10k or your 50th half marathon.

Great Run ambassador, Eilish McColgan shares a motivational message for runners: “After winning Gold in the 10,000m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the city holds a special place in my heart, and in my career.

“To everyone thinking about taking part in the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run, new runners and runners returning to fitness – my advice is to sign up as having a goal to work towards is motivating and will give you the push to train.

“When participating in the Commonwealth Games, the atmosphere in Birmingham was electric, something I know you will all experience on Sunday, 5 May, 2024.  As Great Run ambassador, I want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in running, and events like the Great Birmingham Run are the perfect opportunity.”

This year’s Great Birmingham Run features the same popular route that was launched last year and covers Broad Street, Centenary Square and The Library of Birmingham, St Paul’s Square and the Jewellery Quarter along with city-centre landmarks such as Grand Central and the Mailbox.

The half marathon distance takes in the sights of south Birmingham including beautiful Bournville, Cannon Hill Park and Edgbaston Stadium.

The 10k and half marathon start-line at Centenary Square will become a carnival of colour, high-fives and cheering on Sunday 5 May, in the shadow of some of the city’s most popular landmarks – The Library of Birmingham, Symphony Hall and Rep Theatre.

A new and improved post-run party village at the Smithfield finish-line near Bullring will be alive with music and places to sit and show off your finisher’s medal and tee-shirt to family and friends.

The Great Run website features hundreds of articles filled with the best tips on everything from training schedules, motivation, nutrition, footwear and breathing techniques, to crafting your best running playlist and best practices for before, during and after your run.

More than £10 million has been raised for charities since 2017 and runners can once again sign up to support their chosen good cause to raise even more funds for life-changing projects.

Join the Great Birmingham Run team of everyday heroes raising millions for charity. Choose your worthy cause from dozens of fantastic charities, including British Heart Foundation, Alzheimer’s Society, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and Macmillan Cancer Support.

A whole host of Midlands companies of all shapes and sizes are signing up for the Great Birmingham Run 10K and half marathon Business Challenge.

The Business Challenge invites the corporate world to compete for bragging rights and a fastest-time trophy at the 10K and half marathon, with the finishing times of the fastest four members of a team used to calculate the overall team time.

Who said grown-ups should have all the fun on Great Birmingham Run Sunday? The AJ Bell Junior and Mini Great Birmingham Run sees the smallest Brummie runners (aged 3-8) take on a 1.5km dash, while Junior runners (aged 9-15) tackle a supercharged 2.5km sprint. With a city centre start and finish and the same distinctive carnival atmosphere as the main event, Birmingham’s next generation of athletes will be off to a flying start.

Don’t miss your chance, sign up today at greatrun.org/events/great-birmingham-run