City of Birmingham 10k and 5k Fun Run

Free public marathon in Sutton Park

Sutton Park was the setting of a public free marathon yesterday, Sunday the 6th of September. UK Triathlon invited people of all ages and abilities to take part in the second City of Birmingham Fun Run.

The marathon consisted of two races: 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer. Both took place on the same track which was a full tour of the park. The longer race was two laps of the course.

Shortly before the scheduled time of 9.30, people began lining up for the 5k race.

Before each race everyone went through warm-up session.

The marathon was well organised and planned. Race marshals were present to direct people on the course. 

Despite all the safety precautions, the atmosphere was loose and fun. People enjoyed music and supporting parents and friends were there to cheer up runners.

9.30 sharp saw the race start.

Getting ready for the second race.

While 5k was in progress, more experienced runners were getting ready for the 10k race, scheduled for 10.30. 

Mike Everett was convinced by an ex girlfriend to start running and he's been doing it ever since. From Oxfordshire, he had done four 10k races before and two half marathons.

But not everyone came to put on an athletic show. Some decided to go outside the norm and dress up for the event.

"We fancied a bit of a change."

5k finish

As the runners were passing the finish line, the organizers noted their times and names based on T-shirt numbers.



Zahier and Salqa finished the 5k in about 24 minutes. This was his first ever 5k.

The run hit some harder than others.

After that, 10k racers were lining up.

The 10k race went much like the previous one with the added difference that runners would do two laps of the course.


Coming back from the first lap, everyone had a chance to pickup some water from the race crew.




The final race went on for well over an hour.

There were male, female and age groups for winners at the end and each of them got a medal and a goody bag.

Did you run? Tell us your time and tag yourself in the photos.

Photos by Ion Mates.