Birmingham Canal Canter
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Birmingham Canal Canter
The Birmingham Canal Canter is a circular walking and running event organised by LDWA Heart Of England around Birmingham's canal network. Routes are largely off road, with 98% of the course on towpaths or non‑road surfaces, and are described as flat with minimal ascent and descent. The event includes parts of the River Cole Valley Way and visits sections of the Stratford Canal, the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, and the Grand Union Canals.
There are three route options:
- Mini Canter - 18.5 miles, river and canal route
- Canter Marathon - 26.5 miles, includes Edgbaston Reservoir and the Soho loop
- Maxi Canter - 30 miles, includes Galton Valley and an extended circuit
All routes start and finish at Moseley Rugby Club, Billesley Common, Yardley Wood Road, Birmingham B13 0TP (grid ref SP088812). The marathon and maxi routes also use the New Main Line and Old Main Line canals and pass features such as Kings Norton Guillotine Lock, Bournville, Birmingham city centre, Gas Street Basin and Sarehole Mill. The routes avoid Spaghetti Junction and use tunnels under Curzon Street and Ashfield Road.
Checkpoints provide food and cold drinks; the maxi has four checkpoints, the marathon three and the mini two. Participants should bring a mug or drinking vessel. Finish facilities include hot and cold drinks, a meal with vegetarian and vegan options, showers, free parking, and a finisher badge and certificate. Route descriptions and GPX files will be issued before the event. There is an annual cake competition with details issued in July. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
