Birmingham Canal Canter 2026
The Birmingham Canal Canter is a circular walking and running event that starts and finishes at Moseley Rugby Club, Billesley Common, Yardley Wood Road, Birmingham. The course runs anticlockwise and includes part of the River Cole Valley Way.
Distances offered:
- 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 Edgbaston Reservoir, the Soho loop and a visit to Spaghetti Junction
Most of the routes are off road and largely flat, with no stiles and very few road crossings. Canal and river corridors featured on the routes include the Stratford Canal, the Worcester - Birmingham Canal, the New Main Line, the Fazeley and the Grand Union Canals and the River Cole. The marathon route omits Spaghetti Junction but includes tunnels under Curzon Street and Ashfield Road.
There are several checkpoints that provide food and cold drinks. Participants must bring a mug or drinking vessel because cups are not provided at checkpoints. The finish area offers hot and cold drinks, a meal with vegetarian and vegan options, showers and plenty of free parking. All finishers receive a badge and a certificate. Routes descriptions and GPX files are distributed shortly before the event. The event also includes an annual cake competition. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
Route Details:
The Mini Canter - 18.5 miles: River and canal route, skipping the reservoir and Soho loop but including Sarehole Mill, the city centre, Bournville, and Kings Norton.
The Canter Marathon - 26.5 miles: River and canal walk including visits to Edgbaston Reservoir and Soho Loop.
The Maxi Canter - 30 miles: Includes Edgbaston Reservoir, Soho Loop, and a visit to Galton Valley.
All routes start and finish at Moseley Rugby Club, Billesley Common, Yardley Wood Road, Birmingham B13 0TP.
Start Times:
- Maxi Canter Walkers: 8:00
- Mass Start (Runners): 8:30
- Mini Canter & Runners: 10:00
- All to finish by 7:00 pm
The routes take in the Stratford canal, the Worcester - Birmingham Canal and the Grand Union Canals and the River Cole. The marathon and maxi routes also take in Edgbaston Reservoir and the Soho loop, the New Main Line, the Old Main Line canals. All the routes avoid the Spaghetti Junction as HS2 has the towpath closed but takes in the tunnels under Curzon Street and Ashfield Road.
Points of interest include Kings Norton's Guillotine Lock, Cadbury's Bournville Village, Birmingham University, Birmingham city centre (Indoor Arena, Black Sabbath Bridge, Gas Street Basin), Edgbaston Reservoir, Galton Valley, and Sarehole Mill (inspiration for Tolkien's Hobbiton Mill).
All routes involve crossing very few roads, no stiles and minimal ascent and descent. Wildlife such as foxes, herons, kingfishers, and egrets can be seen.
There are 4 checkpoints on the maxi, 3 on the Canter, and 2 on the Mini-Canter, which will all include food and cold drinks. Participants must bring a mug or drinking vessel as cups will not be provided.
The finish area offers hot and cold drinks, a meal (vegetarian and vegan options), showers, and plenty of free parking.
All finishers will receive a badge and a certificate.