Swimming star Ellie Simmonds will start Great Birmingham Run

The four times Paralympic gold medallist from Aldridge will set the 20,000 runners on their way on October 20.

She said: "It's going to be wonderful starting the Bupa Great Birmingham Run. There's already a buzz in Birmingham about the event and I'm sure the atmosphere on the day will be fantastic."

David Hart, communications director at Nova International, organisers of the event, added: "We are delighted that Ellie has agreed to be our honorary starter; she is a true inspiration to so many people, and we are sure that her big smile will provide a timely boost to participants at the start of their half marathon."

Ellie won two golds, a silver and a bronze at last year's London Paralympic Games.

She also received an OBE earlier this year for her services to Paralympic sport.

She was rewarded for her London Paralympics success with an open top bus tour through Walsall, while a golden post box was also put in place in her home town.

Simmonds claimed 400m freestyle and 200m IM gold, 100m freestyle silver and 50m freestyle bronze at London, adding to her double gold from Beijing in 2008.