Firefighters to tackle Birmingham Half Marathon in full gear for charity
Team say challenge will be “the hardest yet” as they run 13 miles in heat-trapping kit
Last updated 14th Apr 2026
More than 20 firefighters from the West Midlands Fire Service are preparing to run the Birmingham Half Marathon wearing full protective gear to raise money for charity.
The team of 26 will take on the 13-mile course on the 3rd of May in their firefighter trousers and jackets — kit that can weigh several kilos and gets heavier as it absorbs sweat and rain.
Watch Commander Adam Joyce, based at Highgate Fire Station, admitted the challenge will be tough. “It’s probably going to be the hardest one,” he said. “Our kit is great at keeping heat out — but it also keeps heat in, so that’s one of the biggest challenges we’ll face.”
Despite the difficulty, the cause is deeply personal. The team is fundraising for Fire Fighters Charity and Cure Leukaemia — a charity which supported Joyce after he was diagnosed with blood cancer early in his career.
“I was cured by the amazing team,” he said. “There are others in the group with their own reasons too — from personal loss to supporting loved ones currently in recovery.”
Joyce, who is currently dealing with a calf injury, says he’s determined to take part regardless. “The pain I might go through is nothing compared to what people with cancer are facing,” he added.
The group, made up of firefighters from across the region, will run together as a team — something Joyce says reflects the spirit of the service. “We’ll carry each other through. Whatever happens, we’ll get to the finish line.”