If you were trying to decide which of the Birmingham parkruns to do then I thought a guide from a Brummie who has done them may be helpful. Note I have included a couple which are technically not Birmingham. Or maybe you consider that they are due to postcode. Either way, as a Brummie they are the ones I would class as Birmingham parkruns and as such have included them here.
About Birmingham parkruns
So we are going to consider 9 Birmingham parkruns. These are made up of one which unfortunately does not run anymore; three that aren’t technically Birmingham (or may not be considered as such by the residents that live there) and a further five that definitely are Birmingham!
Birmingham parkruns Which No Longer Run
Fortunately, currently there is only one of the Birmingham parkruns which no longer runs. This is Aston Hall.
Aston Hall parkrun
Aston Hall parkrun was an unusual one in that it was allowed to be set up without a proper core team. Set up with investments by Aston Villa Foundation it only really attracted tourists.
Aston Hall, Trinity Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 6JD
See my Review of Aston Hall parkrun
Birmingham parkruns that Aren’t Really in Brum
Many people from outside of Birmingham will most likely consider these to be Birmingham parkruns. Both Babbs Mill parkrun and Brueton parkrun are in Solihull. Babbs Mill parkrun used to be in Birmingham but the area became North Solihull. This was long before the creation of its parkrun. Many people I know from Sutton Coldfield do not like to think of it as being Birmingham!
Babbs Mill parkrun
- Free parking, and known for its post-parkrun waffles. Unfortunately, Babbs Mill parkrun does not have toilets at the start before the parkrun.
- Mostly on path.
- May not be suitable for pushchairs due to the narrow path.
- You CANNOT swim in Babbs Mill Lake.
Babbs Mill Local Nature Reserve, Fordbridge Road, Kingshurst, B37 6LN
See my Review of Babbs Mill parkrun
Brueton parkrun
The oldest of all these Birmingham parkruns but actually based in Solihull. Along with Sutton Park parkrun it is probably in the poshest area of “Birmingham” in my opinion.
- Free parking
- No toilets at the start
- Tarmac path
- Slight incline on each lap
See my Review of Brueton parkrun
Sutton Park parkrun
- Free parking
- Toilets 800m from the start
- Showers at the leisure centre if you book a swim
- Ice cream van on the course!
- Mostly path.
Sutton Park, Boldmere Gate, Monmouth Drive, Sutton Coldfield, B73 6LH
See my Review of Sutton parkrun
True Blue Birmingham parkruns
These are the Birmingham parkruns which are still running that are definitely in Brum!
Cannon Hill parkrun
The oldest of the true Birmingham parkruns is Cannon Hill parkrun.
- Pay parking
- No toilets before the parkrun
- No dogs
- Not suitable for double buggies
- Described as a flat fast course. I disagree with the flat!
Cannon Hill Park, near Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, West Midlands, B12 9QH
See my Review of Cannon Hill parkrun
Edgbaston Reservoir parkrun
- Street parking
- No toilets
- Café near the start/finish
- Path
Edgbaston Reservoir, 115 Reservoir Road, Ladywood, Birmingham, B16 9EE.
See my Review of Edgbaston Reservoir parkrun
Oaklands parkrun
- Free parking across the road
- Toilets by the parking
- Tarmac
- Not quite flat but fairly so
- Suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users.
Oaklands Recreation Ground, Hob Moor Road, Yardley, Birmingham, B25 8UB
See my Review of Oaklands parkrun
Perry Hall parkrun
- Free parking
- Toilets
- Mostly on path – I managed to get muddy in winter!
Perry Hall Park, Perry Avenue, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 1RS
See my Review of Perry Hall parkrun
Woodgate Valley Country Park parkrun
- Free parking
- No toilets
- Play area
- Hilly
- Mostly solid hard paths
Woodgate Valley Country Park, Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham, B32 3DS
See my Review of Woodgate Valley Country Park parkrun
How old are the Birmingham parkruns going on the Date of their First Events?
- Brueton parkrun 24th July 2010
- Cannon Hill parkrun 28th August 2010
- Perry Hall parkrun 22nd November 2014
- Sutton Park parkrun 18th August 2018
- Babbs Mill parkrun 3rd August 2019
- Oaklands parkrun 9th November 2019
- Woodgate Valley Country Park parkrun 7th August 2021
- Edgbaston Reservoir parkrun 14th August 2021
- Aston Hall parkrun 14th October 2023 until 24th August 2024 (Event 34)
Have you done all these Birmingham parkruns and if so which is your favourite?
Visit these other bloggers who cover parkrun – Worcestershire’s own Chrissy at It’s Me Chrissy J – plus Sarah at Mum of Three World and Jackie at Never Imitate