European Athletics Championships legacy: Inspiring the RunTogether community in Birmingham

Earlier this month, the European Championships lit up the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham with exciting athletics and running action. As part of the legacy programme, we have been collaborating with the Canal & River Trust, British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) and local RunTogether groups to inspire the local community to get active.

Providing running opportunities across universities

Working in partnership with BUCS, we have a unique opportunity to train university staff and students as Leaders in Running Fitness (LiRFs), enabling universities to establish their own RunTogether groups and grow social running communities on campus.

This initiative creates a sustainable participation pathway for students, allowing them to engage with RunTogether throughout the year. During term time, students can take part in university-based running groups, while during holidays they can stay connected by joining local RunTogether groups in their home communities.

As part of the European Athletics Championships legacy programme, the University of Birmingham has joined us on this journey. Together, we have developed five new female Run Leaders within higher education, helping us engage an audience that may not traditionally connect with affiliated athletics. This investment not only supports increased participation in physical activity but also creates a lasting legacy from the European Athletics Championships by empowering more women to lead and inspire others through running.

Sharing running routes across Birmingham

In partnership with the Canal & River Trust, we have also developed a series of heritage-themed 5km running routes along Birmingham’s canal network as part of the European Athletics Championships legacy programme.

These routes celebrate Birmingham’s rich industrial and cultural heritage while encouraging people to be more physically active within their local communities. Along the way, participants can discover stories about the city’s canal history, local landmarks, and the European Athletics Championships, while also learning about opportunities to get involved with RunTogether.

By combining physical activity with local heritage and community engagement, this project creates a sustainable model for community-led running that will continue to benefit local people long after the Championships have concluded.