Thousands take on Birmingham Half Marathon

A Black Country schoolteacher took third place in the Birmingham Half Marathon, which saw 11,368 take to the streets of the city.

Coseley School teacher Phillip Nicholls, from Tipton, who finished the race in one hour and four minutes was presented with a cheque for £300 by distance runner Mo Farah, who started the event.

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A total of 11,368 runners pounded the streets during the race yesterday.

Many took part to raise money for charities and worthy causes while others took part in the 13 mile challenge for personal goals and fitness regimes.

The overall fastest time was acheived by Edwin Kipyego who finished in one hour and three minutes,

Roads in the city were closed as runners, including some dressed as bananas, gingerbread men and Romans, set off from Broad Street at 9am.

The route included Pershore Road, Cannon Hill Park and Five Ways before finishing back in Broad Street.

Among those to take part was Dr James Barraclough, of Russells Hall Hospital. The 33-year-old said: "I like running and wanted to raise money for the Birmingham Children's Hospital. It is quite impressive the amount of people taking part."

He was joined by marketing worker Danielle Shennan, 32, from Birmingham, who said: "I have never run more than four miles before."

Sports therapists Dawn Edwards, aged 33, and Gemma Matthews, 28, from Kidderminster also donned their running shoes.

Dawn said: "We have been running for a couple of years and wanted to take part for personal goals."

Well-known faces in the run included West Bromwich's Blind Dave Heeley.