Great Birmingham Half and 10K - 3rd May 2026
- sparkhill1926
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Well done to team Sparkhill at this weekends Birmingham Half and 10k! As always it was a great event with the streets of Birmingham lined with spectators and supporters. Special thanks to Andy W, Hilary, Meg and Mick who were out from the club supporting.
Read on for a race report from Suzzy or click the button below to jump to the results from the Sparkhill Harriers.
Race day - I had set myself the ambitious target of beating my Warwick Half Marathon time by 10 seconds to slip under sub 1:50:00 with 1:49:59 Could I do it? On paper yes, Warwick had been hilly, cold and lonely. The Birmingham course was flatter, warmer and in my home city so hopefully a few friendly faces along the way with a few Sparkhill members out running the 10k and half. We would see... Both the 10k and half set off from Broad Street, through Centenary Square and then up to the Jewellery Quarter.
It was a fast downhill start which caught both myself and Krissie out. Far worse than pacing issues, disaster struck at mile 3 for Nattalie who lost her footing and went flying. Fortunately, she was helped up by some fellow competitors and went on to finish, a fantastic result considering she is coming back from a hip fracture in the last year.
After looping up around the Mailbox, it was out of the city on the Pershore Road to the 10k turn back point at the Belgrave Middleway. Here, a familiar face, with Andy W out on the course supporting and taking photos.
For the half marathon runners, it was then a relentless slog along to Selly Park. This part of the route was out and back so offered a chance to wave (or grimace at) to the faster runners who were returning.
I spotted Paul Manzotti along this section in Sparkhill colours looking incredibly strong.
The course then meandered up around Selly Park. I was really starting to regret my fast start by now. Fortunately, lots of supporters were out to encourage us along.
Then it was back to the Pershore Road where I spotted Rob Mills, who was running for Birmingham Hospices in pink rather than the normal Sparkhill red and black.
A loop into Cannon Hill Park, a "Come on Sparkhill" from Hilary and then round the outside of Edgbaston stadium.
I was wistfully recalling my last visit to Edgbaston (drinking beer in the sun) and questioning my life choices by this point. More much needed encouragement at this point from Andy W who had relocated from the Belgrave Middleway. Photo evidence suggests I could still smile at this point which I expect Craig (one of our coaches) will be most unimpressed by. Craig, if you are reading - I assure you there were no smiles by the end.
It was then back to the city centre. I tried to pick up my pace for the last few kilometres but instead I just seemed to get slower... Probably a consequence of not quite enough training. Back over the Belgrave Middleway, round Sherlock Street and then the infamous Selfridges hill up past Moor Street Station. Unfortunately, I had the misfortune to run right past the official photographer at this point. There were no smiles in the official race photos. Just pain.
A much needed cheer from Mick Edwards and then onto the finish at Aston University which was a nasty little hill than nobody needed.
I was pleasantly surprised when I stopped my watch to see I'd managed to beat my PB set in February coming in at 1:48:51 but more then anything I was relieved to have finished!
Results
Half Marathon Results
Position | Name | Finish |
644 | Tom Manzotti | 01:34:20 |
1361 | Paul Manzotti | 01:41:20 |
2315 | Suzanne Berg | 01:48:51 |
2664 | Krissie Davies | 01:51:15 |
2978 | Hardy Baldwin | 01:53:20 |
3348 | Robert Mills | 01:55:30 |
5497 | Claire Manzotti | 02:10:53 |
5995 | Nattalie Ward | 02:15:31 |
8256 | Keith Ward | 03:05:33 |
10k Results
Position | Name | Finish |
465 | David Pearson | 00:47:37 |
492 | Jane Bartholomew | 00:47:57 |
564 | Patrick Cox | 00:48:46 |
895 | Daisy Manzotti | 00:52:05 |
2801 | Stuart Minchin | 01:04:44 |
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