Birmingham Canal Canter

Birmingham Canal Canter

The Birmingham Canal Canter is a circular walking and running event on 2 August 2026, organised by LDWA - Heart Of England. It starts and finishes at Moseley Rugby Club, Billesley Common, Yardley Wood Road, Birmingham B13 0TP. The event offers three distance options:

• 18.5 miles (Mini Canter)
• 26.5 miles (Canter Marathon)
• 30 miles (Maxi Canter)

The minimum age to enter is 18. Entry opens 31 October 2025 and closes 24 July 2026. Entry fees are listed as £20 for LDWA members and £25 for non-members.

Route and facilities

Routes run largely along Birmingham canals and the River Cole, and include parts of the River Cole Valley Way. The courses cover the Stratford Canal, Worcester - Birmingham Canal, New Main Line, Fazeley and Grand Union Canals, and the River Cole. The marathon and maxi routes include Edgbaston Reservoir and the Soho Loop; the maxi route also visits Spaghetti Junction. The Mini Canter omits the reservoir and Soho Loop. The marathon route includes tunnels under Curzon Street and Ashfield Road. The routes are about 98% off road, flat, and have no stiles.

Checkpoints are provided: four on the maxi, three on the marathon, and two on the mini; these will include food and cold drinks. Participants must bring a mug or drinking vessel. At the finish there will be hot and cold drinks, a meal with vegetarian and vegan options, showers, free parking, a finisher badge, and a certificate. Wildlife along the route may include foxes, herons, kingfishers, and egrets. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.