The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK) has been chosen as one of the official charity partners for the Birmingham and Black Country Half Marathon 2024, alongside the Canal and River Trust.

The Birmingham and Black Country Half Marathon is a unique event due to its canal-side route from the Boat Yard in Wolverhampton to Brindley Place in Birmingham. The half marathon has been managed by Stuweb Events (one of the UK's premier chip-timing companies) since 2008 and has raised thousands of pounds for charity every year since.

The 2024 event takes place on Saturday 6 July and RLSS UK is offering ten free places for fundraisers looking to take on this charity run in the midlands. In return, the charity is asking that these fundraisers raise at least £100 in sponsorship (excluding gift aid). If this is of interest, you can register your details on the RLSS UK website now. 

On average, 302 UK and Irish citizens lose their life to accidental drowning each year and drowning is currently one of the leading causes of child trauma-related deaths in the UK*. RLSS UK is committed to reducing these numbers so all donations from the Birmingham and Black Country Half Marathon fundraisers will be invested in providing expert lifesaving education in the UK and Ireland, protecting families from the sudden and devastating impact of drowning. 

RLSS UK Charity Director Lee Heard said:

“It is our vision to have nations without drowning where everyone can safely enjoy being in, on or near water – which is why we are delighted to be a part of this fantastic event that takes place alongside our wonderful inland waterways.

"The Royal Life Saving Society UK was established in 1891 and since then, we’ve been sharing our expertise in water safety, lifesaving and lifeguarding to educate communities across the UK and Ireland. With the charitable donations we receive from events such as the Birmingham and Black Country Half Marathon, we can educate more people and in turn protect more families from the sudden and devastating impact of drowning." 

Organisers of the Birmingham and Black Country Half Marathon are encouraging runners to register for their place soon for this popular summer event. Participants can enjoy a traffic-free route with plenty of lovely scenery and wildlife to enjoy, plus water stations every three miles, chipped times and easily-accessible start and finish lines. Finishers will also receive a medal and goody bag.

Register to run for RLSS UK

More RLSS UK fundraising opportunities

Visit the Birmingham and Black Country Half Marathon website