Birmingham capitalises on running to tackle obesity problem

England’s second city steals a march on rival cities to declare itself ‘European capital of running’ in bid to inspire 100,000 people to take up activity

Athletics powerhouses in northern England such as Newcastle upon Tyne and Sheffield might have something to say about it. London, which on Sunday hosted one of the world’s most celebrated marathons , and capitals across the continent could also make a case for the title. But Birmingham has stolen a march on them all by declaring itself “European capital of running”, promising to get tens of thousands of its citizens off the sofa and into trainers, and challenging its elite runners to pit themselves against their counterparts from Italy, Germany and Spain.

Over the next three years, Birmingham city council and Sport England are planning to plough almost £3m into running, partly as a way of tackling an acute obesity problem. The aim is to inspire 5,000 people who are currently inactive, especially those from deprived communities, to start running, and to get another 15,000 people who do sporadic activity to participate regularly. The ultimate aim is to inspire 100,000 new people to begin – and keep on – running.

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