European Athletics Championships road race routes revealed

Routes have been revealed for the elite road races at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham next month.

The marathon and race walk events will be free to watch and the organisers have suggested the best locations to watch the competitors.

The championships take place between 10 and 16 August at Alexander Stadium, with more than 1,600 athletes from 48 countries due to take part.

Organisers described the championships as "a landmark sporting moment for Birmingham, the West Midlands and British athletics".

The elite race walks are due to take place on 15 August.

They will follow a 1km loop around the city centre, starting on Colmore Row and finishing in Victoria Square.

Spectators will be able to watch along Waterloo Street, Temple Row West and Colmore Row.

The organisers said athletes will be passing regularly throughout the event and the route will be fully barriered, with managed crossing points in place for pedestrians.

The elite marathons, including Birmingham athlete, Ellis Cross, will take place on 16 August, with both the men's and the women's events starting and finishing at Victoria Square.

The women's marathon begins at 07:30 BST, followed by the men's race at 08:10 BST and the athletes will complete eight laps of a five-kilometre city-centre circuit.

The recommended viewing locations include:

• Colmore Row and Church Street (for the opening and closing stages of the race)

• Holliday Street

• Granville Street

• Sheepcote Street

• Sand Pits

• Ludgate Hill

• Charlotte Street

• Warstone Lane

With three weeks to go, the organisers said stadium tickets were selling fast, with weekend sessions nearly sold out.

The competition starts on 10 August with the men's hammer and women's shot put, plus sprints and hurdles on the track, with the first medals handed out including the winner of the men's 5000m final.

The stadium action ends on 16 August with nine finals, including both 4x400m relays and the mixed 4x100m, along with the women's 1500m and men's pole vault also on the bill.

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