From Coronation To Portland Street
There will be a host of famous faces taking part in this year's Great Manchester Run and there's still time to join them in the 10K race...
There's just over three weeks to go until the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run returns, and among the tens of thousands of participants taking part are a host of celebrities running the 10K race.
Heading from the cobbles to the Portland Street start line are a group of Corrie stars including Harriet Bibby, Calum Lill, Adam Hussain, Peter Ash, Elle Mulvaney, Channique Sterling Brown, Colson Smith, and Luca Toolan. Lacing up their trainers to join them from the Yorkshire village of Emmerdale, are stars Isabel Hodgins, and Danny Miller.
Coronation Street's Peter Ash, is running the Great Manchester 10K to fundraise for the MND Association, a cause he’s representing through his character, Paul. Peter said: “The character I play has Motor Neurone Disease (MND) so we’ve been doing a storyline about that. I thought it would be a great opportunity to raise some money for them.
“I took part in the Great Manchester 10K last year, and it took me 1hr and 16 mins, so if I beat that this year, I’ll be happy with that. Running is quite freeing, it’s a great atmosphere on the day, you get everyone cheering you on through town and it really picks you up.”
Gemma Atkinson, actress, radio host, podcast presenter and author is running with a group of friends, as well as alongside her Hits Radio, co-presenter Mike Toolan. Gemma is also using the 10K as an opportunity to challenge herself ahead of turning 40 this year, while fundraising for Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.
Gemma said: “I’ve been president of Bleakholt for a long time now. So I’ve seen first-hand what the staff and volunteers do to keep us going. We rely solely on donations and at the minute our vet bills are extremely high. February alone was £38,000 in veterinary fees as so many animals are brought in to us in bad condition. It means a lot to me to be able to help my local animal sanctuary. They are wonderful!”
Luca Toolan, Coronation Street actor, added: “the power of running to me is the community feeling, it’s that feel good feeling of everybody coming together to do something difficult for a good cause.”
The half marathon distance is sold out, but there limited 10K places left. If you'd like to know more, visit the Great Manchester Run website.
Image: Great Run Company
