Greater Manchester

Newsdesk

Race Listing for Greater Manchester

Date Event Location Results
15 Dec 2024 BigXmas Trail RaceSale Water Park, Sale
15 Dec 2024 Stockport 10Woodbank Stadium, Stockport
22 Dec 2024 Santa Dash 4 Mile Trail RaceJolly Crofter's Pub, Horwich
26 Dec 2024 Star & Garter Boxing Day 5KStar & Garter, Stockport
31 Dec 2024 Bowstones Fell RaceSt Martin's Church, High Poynton
31 Dec 2024 Trails & Ales New Years Eve Fell RaceThe Little Tea Room At Higher Derbyshire, Rivington
11 Jan 2025
Rescheduled
Manchester XC League Race 3
Woodbank Park, Stockport
12 Jan 2025 Run Heaton 5K, 10K & Half Marathon JanuaryHeaton Park, Manchester
19 Jan 2025 Three Halls of StockportStockport Georgians Athletic Club, Stockport
26 Jan 2025 Stockport Daffodil 10KJackson's Lane, Stockport
01 Feb 2025 Newcastle 5K, 10K & Half Marathon Winter Warmer RunExhibition Park, Newcastle
02 Feb 2025 Manchester 5K, 10K & Half Marathon Winter Warmer RunHeaton Park, Manchester
08 Feb 2025 Manchester XC League Race 5Kenworthy Woods, Manchester
09 Feb 2025 Windy Hill Fell RaceRams Head Inn, Denshaw, Oldham
16 Feb 2025 Media City Half Marathon FebruaryMedia City, Salford
22 Feb 2025 Standish Hall Trail Race FebruaryStandish Community High School, Wigan
23 Feb 2025 Stockport Trail Half MarathonThe Marple Tavern, Marple
01 Mar 2025 Saddleworth Ten Res'sSaddleworth Rangers Rugby Club, Greenfield, Oldham
02 Mar 2025 Trafford 10KPartington Sports Village, Manchester
02 Mar 2025 Trotters 5 Mile Trail RaceSmithills Sports Centre, Bolton
22 Mar 2025 Ultra Loop Heaton ParkHeaton Park, Manchester
30 Mar 2025 Run Heaton 5K, 10K & Half Marathon MarchHeaton Park, Manchester
13 Apr 2025 Rivington 10 Mile Trail ChallengeRivington Bowling Green, Bolton
18 Apr 2025 Manchester to Liverpool UltraMedia City, Salford Quays
18 Apr 2025 Salford 10K Road RaceSalford Sports Village, Salford
19 Apr 2025 Rivington Pike Fell RaceThe Crown, Horwich
24 Apr 2025 Run Media City 5K & 10K AprilMedia City, Salford
27 Apr 2025 Adidas Manchester MarathonEmirates Old Trafford, Manchester
03 May 2025 It's A Piece Of Cake 10KBoggart Hole Clough, Blackley
04 May 2025 Worsley Woods Ladies Trail RaceBeesley Green Community Centre, Worsley
18 May 2025 Wigan Trail 10KSpringview Sports & Community Club, Wigan
21 May 2025 Chase The Sun Tatton Park 10K MayTatton Park, Knutsford
29 May 2025 Run Media City 5K & 10K MayMedia City, Salford
14 Jun 2025 The Drop Newcastle SummerThe Cosy Dove, Newcastle
21 Jun 2025 Trail Escape ManchesterPhilips Park, Manchester
01 Jul 2025 Rochdale 10KSpringfield Park, Rochdale
19 Jul 2025 Beyond MCRCastlefield, Manchester
28 Aug 2025 Run Media City 5K & 10K AugustMedia City, Salford
07 Sep 2025 Altrincham 10KTown Centre, Altrincham
07 Sep 2025 Bury BID Bury 10KThe Rock Shopping Centre, Bury
24 Sep 2025 Run Media City 5K & 10K SeptemberMedia City, Salford
12 Oct 2025 Manchester Half MarathonEmirates Old Trafford, Manchester

About the area

Trotters Runners

The reintroduction of the marathon in 2012 is a sure indicator of a flourishing running scene. The city was already home to Europe's biggest 10K - 40,000 runners pounding the springtime streets in a massive televised extravaganza; and with 15 local Saturday events, the area is the unofficial parkrun capital of the UK.

Other great local events like the We Love Manchester 10K, the City of Salford 10K, the English Half Marathon (Warrington) and the Wilmslow Half Marathon mean a full and varied calendar so good opportunities to build on those regular parkruns and take your running to the next level.

Progress at beginner level is highlighted by our group profile of Chester Roadrunners. Leader Louisa Dallas sketches the group's progress from a standing start to a 40 strong group. Our club focus is on Burnden Roadrunners and the colourful story of the Bolton based set-up that has come a long way in its 30 year history.

We round-up our whistle-stop tour of the area at the Manchester Regional Arena. The arena is the home of several running clubs, the arena boasts an eight lane 400m track with capacity for over 6,500 spectators.

Check out some of what Greater Manchester has to offer to runners below.

Running clubs in Greater Manchester

Have we missed something? If you know of or operate a running club in the Greater Manchester area and would like to add it to our list, then get in touch with us here

Spotlight On Burnden Roadrunners

Burnden Roadrunners

Burnden Roadrunners’ history can be traced back more than 30 years and involves a wonderful tale of feathered tales, klaxons and a challenge laid down to their local football club, Bolton Wanderers…

A Little Club History? In 1983, Vince Regan, a former international runner approached John McGovern (manager of Bolton Wanderers) to run in Bolton’s Adidas British Marathon. John rose to the challenge and invited others to join him under the name of the Wanderers Lifeline Team. Following the event, they continued to run and raise money for local charities, thus the Lifeline Running Group began. In 1985, the group became a fully-fledged athletics club whose name was a nod to the then home of Bolton Wanderers, Burnden Park.

Why Roadrunners? This part of the name is inspired by one of its early members renowned for his participation in events dressed as the original roadrunner with a feathered tail flowing and klaxon blaring.

Claim To Fame? In 1988, 16 runners completed the ‘Pebble Relay’, a non-stop relay run from John O’Groats to Lands End, when they chopped 16 hours off their scheduled five day slog. The pebble collected from John O’Groats beach at 6am on 5 June was hurled into the sea at Lands End, four days, eight hours and 30 minutes later. Although many clubs had completed this feat, especially during the 1960s, it is believed that Burnden were the first club from the area to attempt it.

How Many Members? We have 124 members, with a dramatic increase in membership over the last four years. We have a Facebook page, website and regularly appear in the athletics section of the local paper. Our VET membership is particularly strong, but we also have athletes under 40, or ‘infants’ as we call them!

We Train… On Mondays we meet at Smithills Sports Centre, Bolton. There are usually about three different sessions on offer, varying from new starters/beginners/lighter effort to faster pace. In summer, we offer off-road options on the trails/moors above Bolton. On Wednesday evenings, a more informal grouping meets at Rivington and Blackrod School and on Thursdays at Smithills, an indoor circuit training session runs 7.30-8.30pm.

We Compete... Members compete in road, fell and cross country leagues. Central Lancs Grand Prix, National Relay Championships, British and UK Fell championship and South East Lancs/Red Rose Cross Country respectively; and regularly win championship, team and VET categories.

Favourite Training Run? Has to be the Mast or its kid brother, the Half Mast. The Mast is a seven mile loop that takes us up onto the moors above Bolton, the Winter Hill TV mast and sometimes Two Lads, before returning to base via Barrow Bridge and Moss Bank Park.

Social Side? We don’t forget to have fun and have a dedicated social secretary in Julie Newton, who has arranged all kinds of events from Halloween and Christmas events through to the more unusual, such as scavenger hunts and bowling nights.

Club Stalwarts? Paul Christie, Neil Nuttall, Simon Marland all have 20 plus years association with the club in many different capacities as club officers and runners.

Our Club Run... Is the Trotters 5, which is part of the Central Lancs Grand Prix and is organised for 2 March this year.  It is growing in popularity and now attracts 350 runners. In the past we used Horrock’s Fold Trails for our ‘Smithills Serpent’ race, which local runners jokily referred to as the only flat run they had ever done that was located on the side of a hill!

Local parkrun?  Bolton parkrun is the club’s local event and we always aim to have a strong turnout. Our current chairman Robert Short has won the males points competition for the past two years.

For more information, visit their website.

Interview featured in Northern Running Guide Spring 2014

Running groups in Greater Manchester

Have we missed something? If you know of or operate a running group in the Greater Manchester area and would like to add it to our list, then get in touch with us here

Focus On Chester Roadrunners

Chester Road Runners

WELL KNOWN for its iconic racecourse, Chester is now gaining a reputation for a thriving running scene.  Here, we take a look at how one of its new groups, Chester Road Runners, reflects the growing popularity of the sport ...

CHESTER IS IN the enviable position of hosting one of the country’s most popular marathons - the race was voted the UK’s number one two years ago.  The critical acclaim of the event highlights how attractive the city is as a racing venue.  That and an eager core keen to get involved means that Chester is a city on the move.       
   One of the most recent additions to the scene, Chester Road Runners, have proven to be a hit with locals.  Established just over one year ago, the group already boasts over 40 registered members, with attendance consistently high.  Run England affiliated, Chester Road Runners is primarily aimed at encouraging newcomers and supporting beginners in a welcoming environment.  This ethos is promoted and instilled by group leader and UKA Level 2 coach, Louisa Hallas.
   Louisa explains why she set up Chester Road Runners: “I guess I just wanted to give people who were starting out in running some support and a reason to keep going.  Using the theories that I researched at university, together with my coaching badges I tried to create an environment that people new to running would find supportive and want to come back to week after week.”
   Louisa added: “We are a Run England group and as such we aim to encourage people to enjoy running as a sociable habit.  There are opportunities to join in on group races, parkrun, charity events and the odd social night.
   “Joanne Hutcheon (group leader) and I offer an ‘e-coach’ service via social media/email with posts and tweets designed to answer those burning questions about running.  Along with the usual motivation and banter from the rest of the family at Chester Road Runners, there are plenty of reasons to keep you going in between training.”
   A regular training week for Louisa and the members usually involves a speed, hill or interval session on a Sunday morning (how cruel!).  A social run around the city on a Wednesday evening, where walking and jogging for newer members is actively encouraged.  Sessions are conducted at Westminster Park, through the city centre or along the river, weather and light permitting.
   This pattern has proven to be successful, with members quickly acclimatising to the rigours of regular running and the interval sessions.  And the results are encouraging - two members successfully finished the Helsby Half Marathon in January, one of whom, Drew Skinner, started in 2013 as a complete beginner.
   Most members have now identified local events such as the Chester Santa Dash, Chester Half and even the full 26.2 of Chester Marathon as targets for 2014.  In addition, a few runners have acquired bikes since the club has started and have entered triathlons.
   On the group’s training, Louisa comments: “We aim to show that starting out in running can be enjoyable when done as part of a group.  Our sessions are relaxed, informative and structured to cater for all abilities to provide a running experience that will help educate you to the ‘secrets’ of running, as well as providing a healthy workout.”
   Just as the sessions provide a framework for improvement, Louisa also places a strong emphasis on the social side of the group: “We’re a very friendly bunch and always welcome new people with open arms.  All of us value support over competition and I think this has served us well, both in terms of expanding membership and making it an enjoyable group to be a part of.”
   Chester Road Runners meets every Sunday 10.30am-11.30am and Wednesdays at 6.30pm-7.30pm. 

More information on the group is available on the Run England website or Facebook page.

Services for runners in Greater Manchester

Sports Massage

Run & Relax is a sports massage business run by Sadie McKeand who is a keen runner, personal trainer and leader at Lancaster Women’s Running Group. She offers a relaxation and deep tissue massage. More information at runninggirl.co.uk

Please contact us and we will include details of your service

Physiotherapy

Please contact us and we will include details of your service

Podiatry

Please contact us and we will include details of your service

Personal Training

Please contact us and we will include details of your service

Nutrition Advice

Please contact us and we will include details of your service

If you are offering a service to runners in the Greater Manchester such as physiotherapy, sports massage, podiatry, personal training, nutrition advice, please contact us here!

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