Great Birmingham Run 2023: How to watch the half marathon and 10k - how you can get to areas along the route

The Great Birmingham Run is just around the corner, with thousands of people taking to the city streets for a 10k or half marathon. But if you belong to the group who would rather watch others attempt the run rather than participating yourself, there are plenty of great spots along the way to cheer on the runners.

On their way, the 10k runners will pass by numerous popular landmarks and green spaces around Birmingham’s city centre and suburbs. Here are 10 great locations to enjoy watching the run and how to get there.

10 great spots to watch the Great Birmingham Run and how to get there

Broad Street and Centenary Square

Centenary Square is located in the heart of Birmingham’s civic and tourist area and is surrounded by the Library of Birmingham, the Rep theatre, The Exchange building and Symphony Hall, and is also where the Great Birmingham Run will start. 

The  square is located on the north side of Broad Street, and can easily be reached by bus 13A, 23, 24, X10, X21 and X8, which all stop nearby. The closest railway station and tram stop is Jewellery Quarter station.

Chamberlain Clock, The Jewellery Quarter

The Chamberlain Clock is an iconic landmark in the World Heritage site listed Jewellery Quarter sitting at the Warstone Lane, Vyse Street and Frederick Street junction. From here, you can enjoy watching the runners pass by while making their way through Birmingham.

The site can be reached via bus 8C Inner Circle or bus 101 with the closest stop aptly named The Clock. The Jewellery Quarter station is the nearest tram stop and train station.

St Paul’s Square, The Jewellery Quarter

Another great location to watch the race in the Jewellery Quarter is at St Paul’s Square, the last Georgian square in Birmingham. The square, which takes its name from the nearby church, is surrounded by Grade II listed buildings which makes a great backdrop for spectating.

The site can be reached via bus with the closest stop being Vittoria Station. Both the Jewellery Quarter Station and Birmingham Snow Hill Station are nearby for those arriving by train, while St Chad’s is the closest tram stop.

The Mailbox and canals

The Mailbox is one of Birmingham’s premier shopping and dining destinations, and a good place to watch the Great Birmingham Run. Near the former Royal Mail sorting office is Gas Street Basin, known as the heart of the UK’s canal network.

Birmingham New Street is the closest train station, while Town Hall is the closest tram stop. Numerous buses will take you to Ernest Street or Suffolk Street Queensway, which are the two closest bus stops.

Grand Central at New Street Station

Grand Central is another shopping centre located above New Street Station. From here, you can watch as the runners pass by on their way around the city.

It can easily be found near the New Street or Moor Street stations, with the Grand Central tram stop and St Martins Queensway/New St Station being the closest bus stop.

Southside and Digbeth

Southside contains several of Birmingham’s city centre areas such as the Chinese Quarter and the Gay Village, and is home of several bars and restaurants. Half-marathon runners will take in streets at nearby Digbeth, while 10k runners will make their way through Southside. 

Multiple train, bus and tram stops are available depending on your desired location along the Great Birmingham Run route.

Selly Park and Edgbaston

Along their way through Birmingham, runners will make their way down the busy commuter route A441 Pershore Road, before reaching Selly Park as they return back to the city centre. You can reach Selly Park via bus with the closest stops being Rookery Rd and Bournbrook Manor.

Cannon Hill Park

Cannon Hill is a popular spot for runners all year round, and will see participants running through it on Sunday, May 7. If you want to watch the race surrounded by greenery, this is the spot for you. 

Bus 1, 1S, 41 and 847 all stop at the Cannon Hill Park bus stop.

Edgbaston Stadium

One of the highlights along the half marathon route is Edgbaston Stadium, which also makes a good location for spectators. The fourth largest cricket stadium in England, located just a stone's throw from Cannon Hill Park can be reached via buses 1, 1S, 41 and 847 with stops at Priory Road Cricket Ground and Midlands Arts Centre.

Smithfield and St Martin’s

One of the largest regeneration sites in Europe, Smithfield will soon be crawling the stores, hotels, cultural sites and public spaces, connecting Digbeth and the Bullring. Catch the race from here as the runners make their way to the finish line.