Run with BRAT

Adult Run sessions

Our run sessions are focused on improving your speed and endurance and are enjoyed by existing and would-be triathletes; swim-run and duathlon enthusiasts; fans of running on road, cross country, and track; people who race short, long, and everything in between; and those who enjoy a social run but wouldn’t dream of racing… in short, anyone who wants to run in a group and improve.

    BRAT Monday Run Routes.
    Meet at University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness entrance (just off the A38 Bristol Road in Selly Oak) at 7pm, except on Bank Holiday Mondays when we run at 10am instead.

      Autumn and Winter Routes (GMT)
    Route 01 Harborne – Chad Valley Run 8.7 (13.8) Rte 01 Milermeter /
    Rte 01 Strava
    Route 02 Kings Heath – Stirchley and Bournville 8.2 (13.2) Rte 02 Milermeter /
    Rte 02 Strava
    Route 03 Pope’s Lane Figure of Eight 7.9 (11.9) Rte 03 Milermeter /
    Rte 03 Strava
    Route 04 Torchlight run along the canal and Rea-path bring head or handtorches 7.0 (11.3) Rte 04 Milermeter /
    Rte 04 Strava
    Route 04a Shortened version of the torchlight run (avoiding hills) 6.7 (10.8) Rte 04a Milermeter /
    Rte 04a Strava
    Route 05 Harborne Hills 8.3 (13.3) Rte 05 Milermeter /
    Rte 05 Strava
    Route 06 Lightwood’s Park Run (avoiding Lightwood’s Park) 8.2 (13.2) Rte 06 Milermeter /
    Rte 06 Strava
    Route 07 Moseley and Kings Heath 8.1 (13.0) Rte 07 Milermeter /
    Rte 07 Strava
    Route 08 Short & sweet Bournville run 6.5 (10.5) Rte 08 Milermeter /
    Rte 08 Strava
      Spring and Summer Routes (BST)
    Route 01 Canal and Rea Cyclepath 7.0 (11.3) Rte 01 Milermeter /
    Rte 01 Strava
    Route 02 Harborne Parkway and Reservoir 8.1 (13.0) Rte 02 Milermeter /
    Rte 02 Strava
    Route 03 Five ways, Rea valley and Bournville 9.0 (14.6) Rte 03 Milermeter /
    Rte 03 Strava
    Route 04  Kings Norton and Bournville 8.2 (13.3) Rte 04 Milermeter /
    Rte 04 Strava
    Route 05  Brandwood Junction & Kings Heath 8.3 (13.5) Rte 05 Milermeter /
    Rte 05 Strava
    Route 06  Woodgate Valley Bournbrook 7.9 (12.7) Rte 06 Milermeter /
    Rte 06 Strava
    Route 07 Edgebaston Reservoir Out and Back 8.1 (13.0) Rte 07 Milermeter /
    Rte 07 Strava
    Route 08  Daisy’s Moseley Bog run 8.5 (13.7) Rte 08 Milermeter /
    Rte 08 Strava

    BRAT Monday Run Routes.
    Meet at University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness entrance (just off the A38 Bristol Road in Selly Oak) at 7pm, except on Bank Holiday Mondays when we run at 10am instead.

      Autumn and Winter Routes (GMT)
    Route 01 Harborne – Chad Valley Run 8.7 (13.8) Rte 01 Milermeter /
    Rte 01 Strava
    Route 02 Kings Heath – Stirchley and Bournville 8.2 (13.2) Rte 02 Milermeter /
    Rte 02 Strava
    Route 03 Pope’s Lane Figure of Eight 7.9 (11.9) Rte 03 Milermeter /
    Rte 03 Strava
    Route 04 Torchlight run along the canal and Rea-path bring head or handtorches 7.0 (11.3) Rte 04 Milermeter /
    Rte 04 Strava
    Route 04a Shortened version of the torchlight run (avoiding hills) 6.7 (10.8) Rte 04a Milermeter /
    Rte 04a Strava
    Route 05 Harborne Hills 8.3 (13.3) Rte 05 Milermeter /
    Rte 05 Strava
    Route 06 Lightwood’s Park Run (avoiding Lightwood’s Park) 8.2 (13.2) Rte 06 Milermeter /
    Rte 06 Strava
    Route 07 Moseley and Kings Heath 8.1 (13.0) Rte 07 Milermeter /
    Rte 07 Strava
    Route 08 Short & sweet Bournville run 6.5 (10.5) Rte 08 Milermeter /
    Rte 08 Strava
      Spring and Summer Routes (BST)
    Route 01 Canal and Rea Cyclepath 7.0 (11.3) Rte 01 Milermeter /
    Rte 01 Strava
    Route 02 Harborne Parkway and Reservoir 8.1 (13.0) Rte 02 Milermeter /
    Rte 02 Strava
    Route 03 Five ways, Rea valley and Bournville 9.0 (14.6) Rte 03 Milermeter /
    Rte 03 Strava
    Route 04  Kings Norton and Bournville 8.2 (13.3) Rte 04 Milermeter /
    Rte 04 Strava
    Route 05  Daisy’s Moseley Bog run 8.5 (13.7) Rte 05 Milermeter /
    Rte 05 Strava
    Route 06  Woodgate Valley Bournbrook 7.9 (12.7) Rte 06 Milermeter /
    Rte 06 Strava
    Route 07 Edgebaston Reservoir Out and Back 8.1 (13.0) Rte 07 Milermeter /
    Rte 07 Strava

    These are road running efforts starting outside the entrance to University of Birmingham Sport and Fitness in Edgbaston. The sessions start at 7pm and usually finish between 8 and 8:15pm.


    “A fantastic session run by one of the most enthusiastic runners/coaches you’ll meet. Very inclusive and caters for all abilities.” Nick, triathlete member


    Who is the session aimed at?

    All runners and triathletes. As a rough guide – runners should be able to run about 10km, 6 miles, at about 10 mins/mile pace or faster.

    Is there a charge for the session?

    There’s no separate charge, it’s covered by BRAT membership – and prospective members are really welcome to come along and try us out (for up to three club sessions).

    What does the session usually involve?

    An easy warm up of about 1.5 miles then about 35 mins of hard efforts.

    When it’s dark, we usually remain on the University of Birmingham main campus for the session. In the summer months, we might run from the meeting point at the university to somewhere else nearby, like Selly Park, or the Vale.

    What do I need to know if it’s my first time?

    Arrive a few minutes before 7pm and give yourself time to find the sports centre entrance if you don’t know the area, as it’s a fairly large building.

    Runners wait just inside or outside the main doors. Normally there’ll be some BRAT logos on clothing, so it’s easy to find us.

    There’s a toilet inside, in the Costa.

    Sport and Fitness is on the corner of Bristol Road (A38) and Edgbaston Park Road, B15 2TT.

    What do I need to bring?

    Comfortable and weather appropriate clothing for running and your BRAT ICE tag (or if you’re a prospective member, emergency contact information somewhere obvious on you). Some people bring an extra layer for the warm up, especially in the colder months, but bear in mind anything you don’t run with will usually be left unattended.

    It’s best to hydrate well beforehand, so that you don’t need to carry a bottle.


    Words from the session leader

    photo of Robin

    Session leader Robin is a veteran triathlete, cyclist and runner, who has been a BRAT since the early years of the century.

    “I love the club and the wonderful diverse membership. It’s great watching people improve and compete in events that they would have never thought possible.” Robin, session leader.

    What do you love about leading the session, Robin?

    “Running with a great bunch of happy and enthusiastic folks. Running with friends really pushes you on and is so much more fun than running alone.”

    What would you say to someone who is thinking about coming along for the first time?

    “Don’t think about it, come along and have fun.”


    “It’s great to run these hard efforts with other friendly people – it really improves your running. The sessions are tough but fun.”

    These are off-road running repetitions starting at the mac in Edgbaston. The sessions start at 10am and last about an hour and a quarter, with the option of a coffee afterwards.

    Who is the session aimed at?

    Anyone who fancies some off-road run training – triathletes and runners. As a rough guide – runners should be able to run about 10km, 6 miles, at about 10 mins/mile pace or faster. Off road experience is not necessary.

    Is there a charge for the session?

    There’s no separate charge, it’s covered by BRAT membership. Prospective members are really welcome to come along and try up to three club sessions.

    What does the session usually involve?

    All off-road. An easy warm up of about 1.5 miles then about 35 mins of hard efforts (divided up into different lengths with recovery in between) normally including hills and often some mud!

    What do I need to know if it’s my first time?

    Arrive a few minutes before 10am to find the group and say ‘hello’. We’re just inside or outside the Cannon Hill mac rear entrance (onto Cannon Hill park). Normally there will be some BRAT logos on clothing, so it’s easy to find us.

    There are toilets in the mac and you can also get drinking water there.

    mac postcode is B12 9QH

    What do I need to bring?

    Comfortable and weather appropriate clothing for running and your BRAT ICE tag (or if you’re a prospective member, emergency contact information somewhere obvious on you). Some people bring an extra layer for the warm up, especially in the colder months, but these will usually be left unattended so don’t bring your best running jacket!

    Off road trail shoes are recommended.

    It’s best to hydrate before the session so that there is no need to carry a bottle.


    “Love the Saturday morning BRAT runs – super, encouraging group and fantastic for my running. It’s such a good session… and I always feel great afterwards!” Sarah, runner + very occasional triathlete

    Words from the session leader

    photo of Robin

    Saturday run leader Robin Biles counts himself among the original BRATs. As well as triathlon, he loves mountain and trail running and races quite regularly. He also enjoys the off-road duathlon combination of mountain biking and trail running, which is becoming more popular.

    What do you love about leading the session, Robin?

    “There’s always a great friendly & fun atmosphere and a great group of people. It sets you up for a fab weekend.”

    What would you say to someone who is thinking about coming along for the first time?

    “Off road running is a lot of fun and can be a good change from normal road running. It can lead to some adventurous events. Come along!.”


    “Running off-road is so different to road running and feels like an adventure – I love that we run in different areas with some cool trails.”

    Occasionally sessions need to be cancelled because of unsafe running conditions, club races, and so on – keep an eye on the central sessions and south Facebook groups.

    On bank holiday Mondays the central group usually run at 10am instead of 7pm and on other bank holidays informal runs are often organised instead of club sessions, and in the weeks before cross country and track meets there are often changes to Tuesday and Thursday athletics locations.