Earlier this month a new partnership was announced between the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run and the Manchester Road Race in Connecticut, creating a unique transatlantic link between two of the world’s most historic and high-profile running events.

The collaboration will see elite athletes from the UK and the US compete across both races. The top British male and female finishers at the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run will be invited to take part in the Manchester Road Race each November, while the leading American male and female athletes from Connecticut will earn places at the Great Manchester Run the following May.

The Great Manchester Run is Europe’s largest 10K, attracting around 35,000 runners and 150,000 spectators every spring, alongside its popular half marathon. Across the Atlantic, the Manchester Road Race is one of the oldest running events in the United States, first held in 1927. Taking place every Thanksgiving, it follows a distinctive 4.737-mile course through the streets of Manchester, Connecticut, and welcomes more than 12,000 participants each year.

A spokesperson from the Great Run Series said: “This is a great opportunity not only for our events but also for the athletes themselves. We are proud to strengthen our connection with an iconic American race."

The initiative was first proposed by Jim Harvey, a former British athlete who now coaches professional runners and serves as elite coordinator for the Manchester Road Race.

If you'd like to know more, visit the Great Manchester Run website.

Image: Great Run Company