Birmingham Walkathon is back for 2023: date, route, how to sign up & more

He was the 11 year-old youngster who brought smiles wherever he went.

But young Harry Moseley’s life was cut short by a brain tumour. He died in 2011 after raising a staggering £750,000 for Cancer Research UK with his homemade bracelets.

His devoted mum Georgie Moseley turned his Help Harry Help Others fundraising project into a charity which marked its 10th anniversary last year.

And Harry’s inspiration continues to live on with the 2023 Birmingham Walkathon which is taking place on Sunday, April 2, which is sponsored by Pertemps and has attracted the support of celebrities including Alison Hammond and Ben Shepherd.

The 26 mile route, with shorter options available for people who prefer not to do the full distance, begins at either Kings Heath Park or Rookery Park in Erdington.

The Walkathon has a rich history with the first event starting in the early 1980s and the last walk taking place in 2013. Over the years the walk has attracted up to 10,000 people annually and has raised over £5 million to date.

What is the Birmingham Walkathon route?

It follows the number 11 bus route around Birmingham’s outer circle road.

There are three options for participants of the Walkathon to enable all ages and abilities to get involved:

• the full route, which is 26 miles and mapped around the outer circle no.11 bus route,
• the junior route, which is 11 miles and a new one,
• three and five lap option around Kings Heath Park and there are eight checkpoints where you can finish and pick up a medal along the way.

What have the Birminghjam Walkathon said about the 2023 event?

A Birmingham Walkathon organiser said: “If like many others you have been pondering how you can make a positive difference in 2023, why not sign-up to the Walkathon?

“You won’t only be improving your own fitness and mental health, but you’ll also be making a difference to the lives of those supported by the charities involved.

“The aim of the Walkathon is to re-engage the community, support post pandemic mental health issues and raise much needed funds for Help Harry Help Others, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, NSPCC Birmingham, Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid and Birmingham Mind. All charities close to the hearts of many in the Midlands.”

Partner charity Birmingham Mind says, "Any form of regular physical activity will not only improve your physical health but has huge mental health benefits too.

“It can help with better sleep, by making you feel more tired at the end of the day. It will usually put you in a happier mood by releasing those feel-good hormones which in turn helps to reduce stress and anxiety.

“Being physically active also gives your brain something to focus on and can be a positive coping strategy for difficult times.

“Being more active can make you feel better about yourself as you improve and meet your goals, it can reduce the likelihood of experiencing depression and is the perfect wellbeing tool for good mental health."

How to get involved in the Birmingham Walkathon:

Take part - Register for the walk you would like to complete by signing up here

If walking isn’t your thing but you’d like to get involved and contribute to an exciting day for the community, there are 300 volunteer roles available.

Become a volunteer - Register your interest in becoming a volunteer here