City News

The first ever EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon was staged in Birmingham city centre today (Sunday 26 October). The event, which was the first major road race to be staged in the city for more than 20 years, received nearly 9,000 entries and an estimated 50,000 spectators lined the route to cheer on the runners, many of whom were running for charity.
    
Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council attended the event and was delighted with its success. He said: “The first ever EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon has been a resounding success and to have nearly 9,000 people entered in the event in the first year is wonderful. There was such a friendly atmosphere and the crowds on Broad Street in particular were amazing. This event has certainly put Birmingham on the road running map.

“We are now looking forward to staging the World Half Marathon Championships next year and we hope that next year’s EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon will attract thousands more runners. I’d like to say a big thank you to all those people who ran and proved what a wonderful city this is and I’d also like to thank EDF Energy for all their support.”

Ray Wiltshire, Head of Sponsorship, PR and Events for EDF Energy said: “We are absolutely delighted with the success of the inaugural EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon, the Race Against Climate Change.

“It is great that out of the 7,000 runners that took part over 25% have joined the 2012 Carbon Challenge. As wells as helping to make the event as sustainable as possible they have also pledged to reduce their carbon foortprint by a tonne by 2012.

“Based on the excellent organisation of today’s event by Birmingham City Council we are convinced the event will go from strength to strength over the next few years.”

The runners started their 13.1 mile challenge, which was organised by Birmingham City Council and sponsored by EDF Energy, just outside the Birmingham Alexander Stadium and were given their starting orders by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Randal Brew and former Commonwealth, European and World Indoor triple jump champion Ashia Hansen.

First past the post in the men’s race, picking up a cheque for £1,000, was Andi Jones in a time of 1:05.42. The 30 year old who runs for Salford Harriers was delighted with his victory and said: “I’m really excited to have won the race and I am really proud to be the winner of the first EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon.
    
“It was a very competitive field so to have come out on top is very pleasing. It’s a race I’d definitely run again. The support from the people on the course was outstanding.”

Second was Jean Ndayisenga, who is originally from Burundi but lives in Birmingham and competes for Birchfield Harriers. He had a busy weekend after winning the men’s senior race at the Birmingham Cross Country Championships in Senneleys Park on Saturday. Martin Williams from Tipton Harriers was third in a time of 1:07.36.

The women’s race was won by Birhan Dagne who is originally from Ethiopia and now lives in London and competes for Belgrave Harriers. She won in a time of 1:17.40, more than seven minutes ahead of her nearest rival who was Michele Awuye from Birmingham Rowheath AC. Victoria Rusius, who was running in her first ever half marathon came third.
    
The wheelchair race was won by Paul Hunt, a Birchfield Harrier and another local competitor who was delighted to be competing in a road race in his home city. He said: “I’m shattered but really proud to have come first, especially here in Birmingham. This is the biggest race I’ve ever won and it was a great feeling to be urged on by so many spectators. The highlight was coming into Broad Street and down to Centenary Square cheered by everyone.”

Councillor Ray Hassall, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture who took part in the event and finished in just over three and half hours said: “I’m so pleased with my time and the turn out today. There was a brilliant atmosphere and the crowd and the entertainment on the route were great. I want to say a big thank you to all the fantastic volunteers and our staff – what a wonderful team effort. What a great day for Birmingham.”

Blind Dave, an ambassador for the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon and his running guide Malcolm Carr finished in a time of 1:24.43 and was delighted to have been part of the event. He said: “It was a cracking course and a wonderful experience. Having such brilliant support from the locals all the way round made it extra special and Mac and I would like to thank everyone for spurring us on.”
    
The day began with a Family Fun Run and Junior Race on Broad Street, which together with Saturday’s SportsFest gave people of all ages the chance to be part of the event.

Presenters from 100.7 Heart FM entertained the crowds from the giant stage near the finish, which also hosted performances from Samba band, Someone at the door, a Bollywood dance troupe called Hina & Co and a breakdancing group called Transit Trix. There was also entertainment along the route too, to help motivate the runners as they made their way along the course.

The start of the race was slightly delayed by the organisers to give all the runners a chance to arrive at the start after poor weather in the morning led to traffic congestion in the local area but the sun shone as the runners made their way to the City Centre.

The EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon was organised by Birmingham City Council, sponsored by EDF Energy and supported by 100.7 heart fm, the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa FC, Birmingham City FC and the Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust.