A race day as bold as you.
This is a one of a kind fitness event built on challenge, community and the energy that happens when midlife women come together to move powerfully.
Whether you’re a beginner, gym-goer, runner, Hyroxer or Crossfitter, this day is for you.
Show up as you are. Move at your pace. Do it your way.
8 x 400m runs. 8 functional challenges. One powerful reminder of what you’re capable of.
Ready to discover what’s possible?
The Games Are Going North!
Discover what’s possible.
Birmingham, it's your turn!
Following our London debut, Grit & Grace Games is heading to the Midlands, taking over the historic and iconic Alexander Stadium.
From the 2022 Commonwealth Games to Diane Leather breaking the women's five-minute mile barrier at the original Alexander Sports Ground in 1954, this is a place steeped in sporting history.
Now it's your chance to take to the track.
Get ready for 8 × 400m runs and 8 functional fitness stations. Whether it's your first fitness race or your next challenge, there's a place for you here.
Expect the buzz of the start line, cheers around the track and a day of shared experiences and achievements.
It's about challenging expectations, discovering what you're capable of and making room for more.
This is Midlife. And we're just getting started..
Saturday 15 May 2027
Alexander Stadium, Birmingham
Solos | Doubles | Relays
The Day.
Race.
Find out exactly what you’re capable of by taking part. Connect with other inspiring women.
Ignite.
Join us for Beyond Limits, a candid panel talk on movement, strength and identity with the inspiring guests of the Unshrinkable Midlife Moves podcast.
Explore.
Shop an exciting range of movement and lifestyle inspired brands that will keep you strong, energised and moving boldly.
The Race.
Where Grit Meets Grace.
Dumb bells, kettle bells, weight plates, bodyweight exercises.
Play to your strengths and dig deep.
Run 400m before each zone.
Not punishment, but a reset.
8 Zones of Grit
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(5Kg Dumb Bell)
A burpee finishing with a double overhead press. Keep pushing it.
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(10Kg Sandbag)
How low can you go? Knee to ground, every step of the way.
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(6Kg Slam Ball)
Pick it up. Slam it down. Keep going.
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2× 16Kg Kettle Bells
Walk or run. Drop them like they’re hot, if you need to.
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(12kg Kettlebell)
Keep swinging, like the finish line depends on it.
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(10 Kg Plate)
Pick it up, push it up, from the floor to over your head in one clean move.
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AKA the burpee burns, jump, drop, can you keep it up?
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(6Kg Slam Ball)
Over your head to between your feet. Sit up, lie down. Repeat.
Your Race. Your Way.
How will you show up?
Solo - Own It
Every zone, every run, on your own, the grittiest entry by far and the most satisfying.
Doubles - Conquer It
Two women, one race. All the runs, all the zones, playing to each others strengths.
Relay - Share It
Teams of 4, each person completes two runs, two zones. Choose your zones wisely. Perfect for beginners and those wanting to have a go without going all out.
And….. spectators go free, yep, you can bring your cheer squad with spectator tickets.
More women. More Possibilities.
We believe more women deserve to experience the start line. That's why, we've created adaptive movement standards that allow participants with certain injuries or mobility limitations to compete safely while maintaining the integrity of the Games. To find out more, head to the FAQs section.
Do Something Together Worth Talking About.
Grit and Grace Games is more than a race day. It’s a bold, feel-good challenge that brings women together through movement, connection and community. Whether you're a work team, a friendship group or something in between.
For businesses committed to women’s wellbeing and menopause support, this is a powerful way to bring those values to life. A chance for women to build confidence, connection and camaraderie whilst working together towards something fun, physical and unforgettable.
Because when women show up together, powerful things happen.
Saturday 15 May 2027
Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, B42 2LR
FAQs
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The Grit and Grace Games is a hybrid race for midlife women who are done shrinking and are ready to find out exactly what they're made of.
Expect physical challenges, a community that shows up, and a finish line that will change how you see yourself.
Designed to push first timers and experienced competitors alike, because at Grit and Grace Games, the start line belongs to everyone.
The Games take place on an outdoor athletics track.
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Saturday 12th September 2026, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London, SE19 2BB
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Live DJ
Professional Race Timing
Medal
Water Stations
Bag Drop
Beyond Limits Panel Talk
The Grace Edit - Movement and Lifestyle businesses
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Yes they are and they can join you for free with a ticket. It’s all about community and spirit, so the more the merrier!
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Whilst this is an event for midlife women, those over 40, women over 18 years old are welcome to take part.
Bring the fire with friends, grandmothers, mothers and daughters racing together.
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Women’s Solos
Women’s Doubles
Women’s Relays
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Grit and Grace Games consists of 8 × 400m runs, each followed by a functional workout zone, 16 sections altogether.
You’ll run a total distance of That's 3.6 km between 8 functional challenges.
Zones
1 Devil Press
2 Sandbag Lunges
3 Overhead Slams
4 Farmers Carry
5 Kettle Bell Swings
6 Ground To Overhead Clean
7 Burpee Broad Jumps
8 DeadBall Over Shoulder Throws
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Whilst these are the first games, it’s expected that most women will finish between 60 and 90 minutes.
There's no time limit and no pressure. Whether you're simply proving to yourself that you can or chasing a personal we’re cheering for you all the way.
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These standards are here to make the Games fair, safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Our judges aren't looking for perfection. They're looking for consistent movement that keeps everyone competing to the same standard.
If a repetition doesn't quite meet the standard, your judge will simply ask you to repeat it.
Take your time. Listen to your judge. Keep moving.
General Standards
Respect your judge's decision.
Only completed repetitions count.
If equipment is dropped or a movement isn't completed correctly, you'll be asked to repeat the rep.
Safety always comes before speed.
If you need to pause, you can. The clock keeps running, but your race continues.
Zone 1 – Devil Press
Both dumbbells start on the floor.
Chest touches the floor during the burpee.
Finish with both dumbbells overhead.
Hips, knees and elbows fully extended when standing.
Zone 2 – Sandbag Lunges
Sandbag carried across back throughout.
Alternate legs each step.
Back knee touches the ground.
Stand fully before taking the next step.
No walking, shuffling or steps between lunges.
Zone 3 – Ground To Overhead Slams
Ball lifted fully overhead, arms straight.
Slam with control.
Ball must hit the floor before the next rep.
Zone 4 – Farmer's Carry
Carry both kettlebells.
Participants can jog or run.
Kettlebells can be placed on the ground as needed.
Zone 5 – Kettlebell Swings
Kettlebell passes between the legs.
Finish with the kettlebell at head height.
Body fully upright at the top of the swing.
Zone 6 – Ground to Overhead Clean
Start with edge of plate on the floor.
Lift from ground to overhead in one continuous movement.
Finish with arms, hips and knees fully extended.
Plate is in a flat position above head.
Zone 7 – Burpee Broad Jumps
Chest touches the floor.
Jump forward with both feet together.
50 cms are allowed between hands and feet when dropping into the burpee.
Continue until the full distance is completed.
Zone 8 – Slam Ball Sit-Up
Start laying flat with arms outstretched above head with the slam ball held in both hands touching the ground.
Both shoulder blades touch the floor.
Sit up in one continuous movement.
Knees bent as you sit up
Touch the slam ball to the ground between your feet.
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The Games are built around challenge, not exclusion.
If an participant is unable to perform a movement exactly as written due to injury, mobility or a physical limitation, approved adaptive movement options are available.
Adaptive participants will complete equivalent movements designed to maintain the spirit of the challenge while allowing everyone to take part safely.
Please contact us at move@gritandgracegames.com before race day if you'd like to discuss adaptive options.
The aim is not to make the movement easier, but to make it achievable while maintaining the challenge.
Zone 1 – Devil Press
Replace each Devil Press with:
Dumbbells lifted from the floor to overhead without the burpee.
Zone 2 – Sandbag Lunges
Replace lunges with:
Sandbag squats.
Zone 3 – Overhead Slams
Replace Overhead slams with:
Shoulder slams
Zone 4 – Farmer's Carry
Replace 2 kettlebells with:
One kettlebell carried, arm kept straight alongside body.
Zone 5 – Kettlebell Swings
Replace swings with:
Kettlebell deadlifts.
Zone 6 – Ground to Overhead Clean
Replace with:
Ground to shoulder.
Zone 7 – Burpee Broad Jumps
Replace with:
Walk outs to standing.
Two steps forward instead of a jump.
Zone 8 – Slam Ball Sit-Up
Replace extended arm slam ball sit up with:
Slam Ball Sit Ups chest to feet.
Stronger Together.
Did you know that 74% of women said they had made changes to their exercise routine as a result of cost of living pressures?*
With your help, we’re doing something about it.
5% of every event ticket sold goes to fund a woman who's fired up, trained up, and ready to compete but priced out.
Buy a ticket and make someone's race.
*Women In Sport Research
The Dream Team
Want to help us make the Grit and Grace events unforgettable? We’d love to hear from you.
Where to next?
Race. Move, Explore.
Try something different.
Be the first to know what’s happening.