Bupa Great Birmingham Run

The official Great Birmingham Run 2012 was launched in February this year Credit: Michael Dwyer/AP/Press Association Images

The Bupa Great Birmingham Run took place today with a record 18,000 people taking part.

This this the second year for the race, the biggest half marathon in the Midlands, formally known as the Birmingham Half Marathon.

The Great Birmingham Run attracts competitors from across the UK and around the world.

This year's race was won by Micah Kogo from Kenya who shaved a minute off of last year's record which was won by Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia who completed the 13.1 mile course in 1:1:29 seconds.

Many of the people who took part today were raising money for causes, last year thousands of pounds were raised for charities.

The course took runners past some of the city's most iconic sights including the Bullring, the Cadbury's factory in Bournville and Edgbaston cricket ground with the finish line on Broad Street.

The course took runners past some of the city's most iconic buildings Credit: Bupa Great Birmingham Run

Celebrities that took part in this year's race included Iwan Thomas the presenter and formed 400m Olympic athlete, pop band Steps member, Lee Latchford Evans and actor Richard Harrington.

Iwan Thomas the presenter and former 400m Olympic athlete took part in the Great Birmingham Run today Credit: ITV Central

For more information on the race click here.