21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

A 21km (half marathon) loop along canal towpaths, out past Bournville and then back along the Rea Valley Cycle Route through Cannon Hill Park – a perfect “green run” for during the day, as not all paths are lit at night.

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Route overview

Pictorial directions:

Start at Council House. Cross Victoria Sq. Run down Pinfold St. Right into Navigation St.

Part 1 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Go under flyover. Turn right up path to Holliday St. Left along Holliday St.

Part 2 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Go under bridge. First left onto canal. Right at canal. Run for 7.5km to the bridge, with steps taking you across the canal to the other side.

Part 3 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Cross canal to other side. Continue along canal towpath. Exit canal on left after 150m. Follow Rea Valley Cycle Route No 5.

Part 4 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Keep following Rea Valley Bike Route No. 5 blue signs all the way to Cannon Hill Park, approx 4km.

Part 5 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Run anti-clockwise around the park. Exit at MAC Arts Centre gate. Run ahead onto The Boulevard and past Aldi. Left onto Edgbaston Rd. Right onto Pershore Rd.

Cannon Hill Park has something to do for the whole family. A Fun Park, boating lake, Nature Centre with live animals, a putting green, and more. The park was donated by Miss Louisa Ryland from her family’s estate for recreational use by the public and conservation. Mr T. J. Gibson designed this park and Battersea Park in London. Opened in 1873, the park holds a Grade II-listed bandstand and is named Cannon Hill supposedly because it was the resting point of Royalist troops on their way to the Battle of Naseby in June 1645. You can see an interactive map of the park here.

Part 6 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Cross at pedestrian lights. Run up Sir Harry’s Rd. Cross Bristol Rd at pedestrian lights to continue up Sir Harry’s Rd. Cross Wellington Rd. Right onto Arthur Rd.

Part 7 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Keep running straight ahead. Cross Carpenter Rd. Continue along Wheeley’s Rd. Left at A4540 Lee Bank. Left down steps onto canal. Left along canal.

Part 8 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Run along canal to corner by The Cube/Mailbox. Run around corner following canal to the left.

Gas Street Basin combines the old with the new; once a transportation route, it is now a hub for good food, good vibes, and good views.

Part 9 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Through Broad St tunnel, past Sealife Centre. Cross canal, turn right, cross canal again (by The Malt House pub) to run back down canal on other side.

Part 10 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Through Broad St tunnel again (on the other side). Exit canal at James Brindley Canalhouse pub. Left up Bridge St.

You may notice a rather random bronze sculpture to your left along the canal. It doesn’t look like much. However, there is meaning to it. It is a large cloud split in two meant to depict a creation myth by Hesiod, a Greek Poet, of the battle between gods and giants where the giants attempt to reach Olympus via a staircase they build in the clouds; needless to say, they were defeated.

Part 11 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Cross over Broad St. Right in front of Rep Theatre. Follow the path back to the city centre.

The Library of Birmingham is the large, almost geometrically stacked building to your left. It is described as the largest public library in the UK, the largest public cultural space in Europe, and the largest regional library in Europe. One would hope this remains true since the library cost roughly £188.8 million to build! The design was chosen through an international competition. See the opening hours of the library here.

Part 12 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Follow the path around Town Hall back to start by Council House.

Victoria Square is widely considered the centre of Birmingham as the local road sign distances are measured from here. Part of this space was once occupied by Christ Church demolished in 1899. The font, bell and foundation stone were relocated, as well as some 600 bodies from the catacombs below the church, including John Baskerville, were relocated to the Warstone Lane Cemetery.

Part 13 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Run NE past Council House entrance. Turn 1 st left into Eden Place. Turn 1st right into Edmund St.

Part 14 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Continue along Edmund St. Cross over Newhall St.

Part 15 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Turn right into Church St. Run to Cathedral Square. Turn left onto Colmore Row.

Part 16 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Run one complete loop around the outer edge of Cathedral Sq.

Here is a fun fact about the Cathedral Church of Saint Philips: it is not named after a Saint but after the Philips family, specifically Elizabeth Philips, who donated the church’s land. Additionally, it is estimated that some 60 000 burials took place here. However, as headstones and memorials were costly, only a few could afford them; hence, only about 100 monuments and a few headstones can be seen. These headstones and memorials give a glimpse into the types of professions present in 18th and 19th century Birmingham such as surgeons, lawyers, craftsmen, gun makers, and artists. You can see the opening times here.

Part 17 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Run part way round a second loop of Cathedral Sq. Turn left into Waterloo St.

Part 18 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Run to Victoria Square and back to start.

Part 19 of the 21km (Half Marathon) Run Loop Birmingham

Click here to populate part 1 of the route on Google Maps

Click here to populate part 2 of the route on Google Maps

Resources:

If you enjoyed this route, see our 8km city centre run.

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