Inspirational mum adds to Great Birmingham Run pride as 14,000 runners take part

The return of Great Birmingham Run brought inspirational moments and even a nod to much-loved Ozzy the Commonwealth Games Bull. Places for the Half Marathon, 10K and junior races were full after 14,000 runners signed up to take part.

Among them was inspirational mum Claire Lomas MBE, who completed the half marathon in a race wheelchair with a time of one hour 47 minutes and seven seconds. Claire, raising money for the Nicholl’s Spinal Injury Foundation, has been paralysed from the chest down since 2007 but is still a daredevil on ski slopes, a motorcycle and and in the skies as a pilot.

Claire wasn't too far behind the winner of the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run Half Marathon 2024, Omer Ahmed, from Birchfield Harriers, who crossed the finish line first with a time of 01:05:35 and was the fastest male runner. The fastest female was Abbey Van Dijk, from Run 4 U and Perform Running Club, at 01:21:17.

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Winning the 10K races were Stephen Blake, of Aldershot Farnham and District Athletics Club(AC), with the fastest men's time of 31 minutes and 16 seconds and fastest female Gemma Steel, from Charnwood AC, at 34 minutes and 6 seconds.

The sun shone on runners as temperatures teetered around 17C, causing officials to remind everyone to keep hydrated and make the most of water stations along the route. A jubilant atmosphere was created around the course by 50,000 cheering spectators.

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Chaman Lal, set off each wave of runners alongside representatives from the charity foundations of Aston Villa FC, Birmingham City FC and West Bromwich Albion FC.

Fancy dress costumes ranged from hot dogs to Super Mario Brothers, Superman, unicorns, a carrot and Superwoman.

Everyone completing the races received medals and the 10k one featured an intricate design with a bull within it.

Millions of pounds have been raised for good causes at the Great Birmingham Run since 2017. Charities spurring on fundraising runners at the roadside this year included the Alzheimer’s Society, Birmingham Hospice, Cancer Research UK, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Paul Foster, Chief Executive, The Great Run Company, said: “The Great Birmingham Run is the first event in the Great Run Series schedule and we look forward to it every year.

“This weekend has been a running party atmosphere like no other, and I congratulate each and every one of our participants for their incredible achievements. We can’t wait to see you all again on Sunday, 4th May, 2025!”

Runner Jenny Chamberlain said: "It was amazing and thank you to everyone who cheered us on as it really does help."

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"The Great Birmingham Run was really well organised from the starting point to bag drop and pick-up," said Mike Southern, who was cheering on a friend in the race.

"The sun was shining, people were in a celebratory mood and Birmingham looked amazing as the back-drop. It made me feel proud."

Excited mum Louise Bradshaw praised her son Lewis for completing the run "quicker than expected". She added: "The heat was wonderful, but not what he was used to. He is hoping this will get him ready for a full marathon in the future."

See photos of all the winners for each category and other scenes from the day in the photo gallery above.

Entries have now opened for next year’s AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run on Sunday May 4, with a Super Earlybird offer saving up to £8 on an entry via the Great Run website here. The offer ends on Monday May 13.

All the winners times in Great Birmingham Run

10K Top 3 Male

Stephen Blake (Aldershot Farnham and District AC) - 00:31:16

Tomos Roberts (Meirionnydd Running Club) - 00:31:46

Paul Howard (St Helens Striders) - 00:31:51

10K Top 3 Female

Gemma Steel (Charnwood AC) - 00:34:06

Carla Davies (Preston Harriers) - 00:35:22

Helen Gaunt (Tonbridge AC) - 00:35:36

Half Marathon Top 3 Male

Omer Ahmed (Birchfield Harriers) - 01:05:35

Tom Scrutton (University of Warwick) - 01:12:31

Eddie Lynch (University of Birmingham AC and Cross Country Club) - 01:14:18

Half Marathon Top 3 Female

Abbey Van Dijk (Run 4 U and Perform Running Club) - 01:21:17

Agnieszka Wilk - 01:22:57

Lauren Cooper (Shrewsbury Athletic Club) - 01:23:20