Great Birmingham Run 2026: Road closures list and public transport updates

Thousands of runners are taking to the streets today (Sunday, May 3 2026) for the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run 10K and Half Marathon, bringing major road closures and transport disruption across the city.

The popular annual event will see routes winding through some of Birmingham’s busiest and most recognisable areas, meaning travel will be affected from early morning through to late afternoon.

Runners will pass through key locations including:

• Broad Street and Centenary Square
• The Jewellery Quarter
• St Paul’s Square
• The Chamberlain Clock at Warstone Lane and Vyse Street
• City centre hotspots including the Mailbox, Grand Central, St Martin’s Church
• Southside and Digbeth

With so many central areas included, large parts of Birmingham will be difficult to access by car or bus at various points during the day.

Road closures will begin as early as 4:30am, with most routes shut by 8am as the race gets underway.

Reopening will happen in stages:

• From around 12:00 in some areas
• Most roads expected to reopen by 16:00

Drivers are being urged to plan ahead, allow extra time, and expect diversions across the city.

Bus services are heavily affected, with dozens of routes either diverted or subject to stop changes throughout the day.

Services impacted include:

1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 8A/C, 9, 12/A, 13/A, 16, 17, 23, 24, 35, 45, 47, 50, 52, 60, 80, 82, 87, 97, 101, X1, X2, X8 and X10.

Passengers are advised to:

• Check before travelling
• Expect delays
• Look out for temporary stops and diversion routes

The Diamond 16A service is also following a dedicated diversion route.

Updates are available via National Express West Midlands and Transport for West Midlands channels.

Tram services are also affected.

• Metro will run between Wolverhampton and Grand Central only until 14:00
• No service between Grand Central and Edgbaston Village during this time
• Millennium Point will not be served

To help early travellers, two additional services ran from Wolverhampton to Grand Central at 6am and 6:30am.

Despite the disruption, organisers say the city remains open, but travellers should allow extra time and plan routes carefully.

Live updates on road closures and transport changes are being published throughout the day, with officials urging people to check before they travel.