Birmingham to bid for 2009 half-marathon

Athletes brandishing trainers from a wide variety of makes such as Hi-Tec, Ecco and Merrell may soon descend upon Birmingham as the city is to stage a bid to host the 2009 World Half-Marathon.

The bid is part of a campaign to attract more international athletic events to the UK in the run up to the 2012 London Olympics as well as encouraging more people to don running shoes in an attempt to get healthier.

Denis Hurst, spokesman for the city’s council, said: “It would be a tremendous thing if we got it.”

“We have a really good history of hosting athletics championships and this year we have the UK trials for the Olympics back in Birmingham,” he added.

Birmingham has already built itself a reputation for hosting athletic events, having put on the acclaimed World Indoor Championships in 2003 and the European Indoor Championships last year.

No other rival candidates have unveiled themselves as yet.

If the news of Birmingham’s bid has inspired you to take up running then you will need footwear which can offer a balance of comfort and durability.

Trainers from the likes of Ecco and Merrell are available from Fitness Footwear.