Are unbanked freights given a running start at the Incline from a few miles away as a matter of course or are there no particular considerations given.
IIRC, the maximum loads for a given class of locomotive are determined by max continuous tractive effort and starting tractive effort. The latter will always be higher than the former, hence continuous is the more relevant.
In the case of the Lickey, the incline is so long that if the trailing load is excessive, taking a run will only determine where the train comes to a stand, not whether it gets over the top.
If the load is correct, a run will get the train up in less time, and it will reach its balancing speed determined by the continuous tractive effort peak further up the climb. Listen to the sound on any Youtube video taken toward the top and the engine note is the same from end to end, they just slog it out.