The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run 2026 is finally here, with thousands of runners taking to the streets of Birmingham today, Sunday, May 3. Alongside the main 10k event, a half marathon will also take place, attracting an estimated 16,000 participants.
Route Highlights and Road Closures
Runners will pass through the Jewellery Quarter, St Paul's Square, Digbeth, and Grand Central. Half marathon participants will venture into south Birmingham, enjoying green spaces like Cannon Hill Park and Selly Park.
A rolling programme of road closures will be in effect throughout the day, with some starting as early as 2am. Roads will reopen in phases between 12pm and 4pm. During closures, vehicular access is not possible unless pre-agreed. Side roads may also be affected. Organisers have an uplift system to relocate vehicles left on the route, and parking suspensions begin at midnight on Saturday, May 2. Advance warning signage is installed two weeks prior. Pedestrian and emergency access is maintained at all times.
Full List of Road Closures (Alphabetical Order)
- Aston Street 7am - 5pm
- Belgrave Middleway (roundabout) 6am - 3:30pm
- Bishop Street 6am - 3:15pm
- Broad Street 4:30am - 1:30pm
- Brook Street 7am - 12pm
- Cannon Hill Park 6am - 3pm
- Caroline Street 7am - 12pm
- Charlotte Street 7am - 12pm
- Commercial Street 7am - 1pm
- Dudley Street 6am - 3:15pm
- Edgbaston Cricket Ground 6am - 3pm
- Edgbaston Road 6am - 3pm
- Elmdon Road 8am - 2pm
- Frederick Street 7am - 12pm
- Gooch Street (between Sherlock Street and Bishop Street) 6am - 3:15pm
- Graham Street 7am - 12pm
- Hill Street 7am - 1pm
- Holliday Street 7am - 1pm
- James Watt Queensway 7am - 5pm
- Jennens Road 2am - 6pm
- Kensington Road 8am - 2pm
- Ladywell Walk 6am - 3:15pm
- Lyon Queensway 7am - 12pm
- MacDonald Street (between Sherlock Street and Rea Street south) 6am - 3:15pm
- Masshouse Lane 7am - 3:30pm
- Moor Street 7am - 3:30pm
- Moor Street Queensway (southbound) 7am - 3:30pm
- Navigation Street 7am - 1pm
- Newhall Hill 7am - 12pm
- Parade 7am - 12pm
- Park Street 7am - 3:30pm
- Pershore Road (Belgrave Middleway roundabout to Dog Pool Lane) 6am - 3:30pm
- Pershore Street 6am - 3:15pm
- Priory Road (Bristol Road to Pershore Road) 6am - 3pm
- Queen's Ride 6am - 3pm
- Regent Place 7am - 12pm
- Royal Mail Street 7am - 1pm
- Sand Pits 7am - 12pm
- Selly Avenue 8am - 2pm
- Selly Park Road 8am - 2pm
- Severn Street 7am - 1pm
- Sherlock Street 6am - 3:15pm
- St Paul's Square 7am - 12pm
- Station Street 7am - 1pm
- Suffolk Street Queensway (off slip road toward Holliday Street) 7am - 1pm
- Vittoria Street 7am - 12pm
- Warstone Lane 7am - 12pm
- Woodcock Street 7am - 5pm
The start line is on Broad Street, and the finish is on Jennens Road, with longer closure times in these areas. Emergency services and pedestrians will have access throughout.
