Birmingham Canal Canter

Come and explore Birmingham's network of canals.

A change this year. We are going clockwise!  And adding a reservoir and a 30 mile option. No Spaghetti Junction but exploring Galton Valley and the underside of the M5. 

There are 3 options

1. The Mini  Canter - 18.5miles - River and canal route
2. The Canter Marathon- 26.5miles - River and canal walk including visits to Edgbaston Reservoir and Soho Loop
3. The Maxi Canter - 30 miles - In recognition of the 30 years of Heart of England Local group a little bit more with the visit to Galton Valley .

All  routes start and finish  at 

Moseley Rugby Club, Billesley Common, Yardley Wood Road Birmingham B13 0TP grid ref SP088812

Starts :-
Maxi Canter Walkers      - 8:00
Most in a mass start at  - 8:30
Mini -  Canter  & Runners   - 10:00

All to finish by 7:00pm

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.

You will pass Kings Norton's Guillotine Lock, Cadbury's famous Bournville Village, Birmingham University, Birmingham city centre including the Indoor Arena, the Black Sabbath Bridge, Gas Street Basin - home of the International Convention Centre and  award winning Brindley Place development, Edgbaston Reservoir, Galton Valley and the Mathew Boulton's Soho Manufactory, Winson Green Prison back to the city centre and then back along the River Cole via Sarehole Mill (inspiration to Tolkien's Hobbiton Mill in the Shire).

The maxi route visits makes a visit to Galton Valley and get the under moterway vibe from the M5 rather than the M6.

The 18.5 mile route skips the reservoir and the Soho loop but still includes the mill, the city centre, Bournville and Kings Norton.

All routes involves crossing very few roads, no stiles and probably the least ascent and descent you will do this year !!

Plenty of wild life can be seen along the route don't be surprised if you see foxes and herons, if you are lucky there are kingfishers and egrets. Never dull the backdrop varies from rural to industrial heritage and then to full on state of the art developments. The views change every year.

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.

Please note it is essential to bring a mug  or drinking vessel as cups will not be provided at the checkpoints.

There will be hot and cold drinks and a meal at the finish including a vegetarian and vegan options.

There are showers available at the finish.

Plenty of free parking on site.

All finishers will receive  a badge and there will be a certificate as well.

Routes descriptions and GPX files will be sent out shortly before the event.

There will also be the annual Birmingham Canal Canter Cake Competition. Details will be sent out in July 26.