My first half marathon in Solihull, organised by RunThrough. The course starts in the town centre with a great build up atmosphere with a warm up stage. Mell square seemed packed and there were only over 1000 runners. Might need a start somewhere else if it grows, but I do hope it returns again. It was a local race to me and I really enjoyed the course althought it was undulating. Starts in the town, out through a park great support through the suburbs and out around the lovely countryside before finishing back in town. All on closed roads so great to experience town and country scenary. Plenty of snacks to collect and a plain RunThrough branded technical T-shirt that I'm happy to wear again.

Well organised, already looking forward to signing up again next year - hope they come back.

The 2021 edition was by RunThrough, the course starts in the city center followed by 4 miles out to Knowle a single loop across the countryside then back along the 4miles to the finish/start.

A number of rolling hills across the course, in the pre-event information the route did not include an elevation profile which would have been useful. 3 water stations along the route at roughly 3, 6, and 10 miles. Good quality medal and T-shirt (plain technical T-shirt) at the end. Parking options nearby are mostly all pay and display council car parks.

This was my first post-pandemic race, and I was understandably nervous in the run-up about being in close proximity to so many people, but I needn't have worried. The Run Through team did an amazing job of the organisation and I didn't feel unsafe at any point during the day. The race started with a socially distanced start that I really appreciated as a mid-pack runner, for once I didn't have to try and find my pace around lots of other runners and I could start my race at the pace I wanted to. Bliss. 

The route itself was surprisingly green for a town-based out and back, it meandered through a park for the first mile before heading out of town and over the M42, then around a cone and back again. It was definitely a lumpy course, with the overpasses being the most brutal on the quads/hamstrings, but I didn't help matters with my poor pacing. With the exception of the finish, crowds were sparse along the 10km route but the enthusiasm of the marshals more than made up for the lack of support, they were SUPERB. I have done a lot of big-city half marathons and marathons, and the marshals at Solihull were among the best, they were supportive and enthusiastic and as a result, the atmosphere was fantastic. 

My time wasn't bad considering it was my first race back and I made some rookie mistakes on my pacing (is never a good sign when you set a 1km and 1 mile PB in the first mile), however, I would definitely do this race again. The T-shirt and medal are excellent, and they de-constructed the goody bags which meant that you only took what you wanted/needed, rather than ending up with a whole heap of stuff you'll never use. I finished the race with a huge smile on my face, and that high lasted all day. 

TL;DR: An meticulously organised 10km race with a fab goody bag and excellent atmosphere. Make sure you have some hill sessions in your training plan if you're shooting for a PB.

I was meant to do this in it's first year, but it got rescheduled and then clashed with another race I already had planned.

Decided to do this in 2018 instead as it's local and my training plan called for a half marathon!

Starts and finishes at the Blythe Valley Business Park, so loads of parking and easy to get to as close to motorway junction in you live further afield.

Course is undulating and not closed to traffic, which might be an issue for some. Field is small <1000 finishers, but medal was good. Water, banana and twix at the finish.

Overall a good event.

Having missed the first run last year I was keen to race it this year.

I was one of the first to register for a good value early bird price of £20, some four months before the race.

One early slight issue was the lack of information about the route. The website only had a low-res image which couldn't be zoomed in. 

On arrival we were signposted to ample car parking in one of the offices in Blythe Valley Business Park. There were about 8 portaloos which did lead to a bit of a queue - more would be better next year.

The start was in an office car park which was a little odd, before a short loop around some of the Business Park and on to the local roads. There were rolling roadblocks to stop traffic for the first few miles then we just had to stick to the left. These are country roads really and were pretty quiet so this seemed to work well.

Support was limited but quite enthusiastic. 

There were about 550 odd runners which was a nice number for my taste. 

At the finish we were handed our medals, a Twix, water and a banana.

As someone that lives in Solihull I had to do this run as the 1st in the area. It was pushed back a few months but I'm glad as it was a nicer time of year. 

Good start and well supported with a good range of runners from various clubs around the area and locals. Run for Fun and the team from Virgin made it a great with announcements. 

The course was good and well supported in key places an undulating course through the countryside. It would have been great if this course actually touched solihull town centre but I guess the council and police said no which is a shame. 

The only issue I had with the event was the finish and trying to get out if you finished within the 1st few hundred due to how the car parking set up was done. I think they will be able to fix this easily for next year. 

If the team behind this can step it up each year then this will become one of the best halves in the midlands.