I have run the great Birmingham half and 10k on a few occasions and the Great Run registration process is the same format with everything you need arriving in good time before race day. 

The start at Alexander Stadium, which isnt in the centre of Birmingham, was a good idea although lack of toilets inside the stadium lead to lots of runners finding a wall or quiet corner the relieve themselves. The first four miles into Birmingham were pretty dull with not much support. After that the route picked up the latest route for the half marathon. Once out the streets that are full of factories,around the coach station, the route improves along the Pershore Road, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston cricket ground and Cadbury World. This is where the majority of the race takes place with two loops including a couple of hills on each. The hills are nice to conquer once but knowing that your going to have to tackle them again in nine miles was a bit disheartening. I has started in the later of the two waves that had gone off one hour after the first wave and as we started the first loop we were joined by runners from the first wave that were starting their second loop. Being faster they were having to weave their way through the slower runners. Only two feed stations on the route with gels and i seem to recall that these were a long way out from thw finish. The drink stations only provided  water.  Towards the finish, that has a short sharp climb outside the Bullring I had the dodge pedestrians in the road and there seemed to be a lack of marshalling at this poiny. Great Run hide the medal in the finishers bag which was disappointing.

The half marathon was starting as I was finishing and i think having both events on the same day resulted in sacrifices to the marathon route. Unfortunately even as a local I won't be taking part again unless there are changes to the route.