The first event was held on 15 October 2017, the same day as the existing Great Birmingham Run in the city centre.

[3] Brendan Foster, chairman of the Great Run Company, said: "Our ambition for the Birmingham International Marathon is to do in the autumn what the London Marathon does in spring – to provide a world-class opportunity for top athletes through to people who just want to participate, people who want to raise money for charity."

Former distance runner Ian Stewart said: "The Birmingham marathon is a great idea and I believe we have a real opportunity to build it into a big international event.

We're in a central location in the country and with it becoming more and more difficult to get into the London Marathon, why wouldn't people come to Birmingham and run?

Runners will then begin their run back to the city centre by passing Edgbaston Cricket ground as they reach the Hagley Road and Five Ways junction, before heading up Broad Street where they will set out on another lap to complete the marathon.